Devotional: Don't get Mad, Get God

From bible.com

But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!
Amos 5:24 (NIV)

I don't have kids, but I have a dog. She is an adorable Bichon Frise. If you look up the breed, you will find that they are cute, sweet, cuddly dogs who's only purpose is to be a lap dog. They have stupid hair and sparkly eyes and sometimes they like to use your new carpet to do their business even if they asked to go out minutes before. It is just something they do. And like any parent, you get mad at them when they do this. You might even yell, to which they will roll over and stare at you with those dark sparkly eyes that say, "I love you, don't yell," but you are mad nonetheless. But no matter what, you love that pesky little dog because she is just a part of your heart. Sometimes we mess on God's carpet and He gets mad at us.

Many times in the bible, God has gotten mad at his people, as this whole chapter in Amos tells us. They turn to idols and false gods even when God was present among them. We forget all the stuff God has done for us and look to ourselves or other people. It is understandable that God will sometimes get mad at us. Though He will never stop loving us. God loves us so much, that he made a way for us to be washed clean of all these sins, to bring us back into his presence and to live with him forever. Though we can do nothing to earn this, God has given it to us for free.

God doesn't want your religious services, your festivals, your sacrifices or your offerings. He wants your heart. All of it, the whole thing, in everything you do. As I love my dog, no matter how bad she might be, I love her completely no matter what. And if I can love like that, with my sinful heart, imagine how much more God can love you, He who is Love, no matter what you do. The Lord asks us to seek him and live. To seek goodness and love and live life with those to guide us. So when the world is at its darkest, we can firmly be beacons to those that do not believe yet.

Lord, I ask as I go out today, remind me to love everyone like you do. If I get angry, calm me with Your love and patience. Remind me to tell everyone of your amazing deeds so that I do not forget you today.