Where Is the Word of Truth?

The world today seems hell-bent on freeing itself from any fixed moral obligations—except, of course, those that are firmly fixed in the eyes of those who want to be the last word on morality. The great social squabbles of our generation have to do with whose moral vision will prevail. We begin a new series of readings with our book, The Joy and Rejoicing of My Heart. Today’s excerpt is found on pages 7 and 8:

“The prophet Amos foresaw a day in which the absence of any hearing of the Word of God would wreak tragic effects on the people of God. With no sure or consistent Word on which to feed, the people of God would be starving for truth, and every aspect of their lives would suffer.

“In the grim scenario painted in Amos 8.11-14, weary and spent people stagger in every direction, looking for some sure word to which they might cling, yet without success. The best and brightest of them are at the point of wasting away. Meanwhile, all around, pagan peoples dutifully serve their false gods and made-up deities, yet without any evidence of lasting satisfaction or hope.

“Amos casts a vision of spiritual desolation, desperation, hopelessness, and despair. The cause of this tragic situation, as Amos foresaw it, was that there was no hearing of the Word of the LORD in the land.

“We hardly need persuading as to the relevance of this dour vision for our times. The characteristic features of Amos’ prophesy are visible on every hand. We recognize them in the ills and confusion that beset us in these days of spiritual shallowness, relative truth, pragmatic ethics, and the tyranny of taste…And where, in the midst of all this, is that Word of truth that brings life, and sets people free from fear and the tyranny of false hopes?”

For reflection or discussion
1. In your view, why is everyone so upset these days about moral issues? 

2. Should the Christian faith have anything to say about the moral issues of our day?

The Bible is not a book on morality, but the morality it teaches reflects the very character of God. If we fail to hold fast to God’s Word, the morality He teaches there will simply slip out of our hands. Share today’s podcast with some friends. Make a point of getting together to talk about the issues presented in The Joy and Rejoicing of My Heart. A free PDF copy of this book awaits you in The Ailbe Bookstore. 

T. M. Moore