Amos 9:1, 14-15

January 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and he said: ‘Strike the capitals until the thresholds shake, and shatter them on the heads of all the people; and those who are left of them I will kill with the sword; not one of them shall flee away; not one of them shall escape’” (Amos 9:1).

“’I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine, and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit. I will plant them on their land, and they shall never again be uprooted out of the land that I have given them,’ says the Lord your God” (Amos 9:14‬-‭15‬).

This last chapter of Amos presents something of a contrast. First, Amos has a vision of the Lord pouring out his wrath on the evil doers (9:1-10). 

Then, Amos closes his book by telling of a time when the Lord will restore the “tabernacle of David,” which includes the land promise, “‘I will plant them on their land, and they shall never again be uprooted out of the land that I have given them,’ says the Lord your God” (15‬).

I believe that modern Israel is the partial fulfillment of what Amos and the other prophets describe as the restoration of Israel. Clearly, the nation does not walk in righteousness. So, we wait for the Lord to bring that element of the restoration.

Father, please fulfill your promise to restore Israel in righteousness. Please defend them from those who seek to undermine your land promise by dividing the land. Amen.

Filed Under: Amos, devotional thoughts, Old Testament, Prophecy, Restoring Israel

Joel 2:25

January 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you” (Joel 2:25).

This is one of my favorite verses, offering hope of restoration. Here, the Lord is offering to undo the damage done by the locusts in chapter one. Chapter one focused on Israel’s disobedience. Chapter two focuses on repentance. Notice the order: Chapter one is bad news. Chapter two is good news. 

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.” (2‬:‭12‬-‭13‬)

Through Joel, God is calling Judah to turn their hearts back to him. I believe this call to repentance demonstrates consistency between the OT and NT. 

Two happy reminders from Joel chapter two:

1. God restores sinners who repent. 
2. God is consistent. 

Father, thank you for offering restoration and for being consistent. These things give me hope and encouragement. Amen. 

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, forgiveness, Israel, Joel, Restoring Israel

Hosea 14:1, 4

January 1, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity” (Hosea 14:1).

“I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them” (Hosea 14:4‬).

Just when one thinks unbelieving Israel is a lost cause, God shows His heart. Just when one thinks God has rebuked Israel to the point of exhaustion, God shows His heart. Just when it seems that Israel has finally gone too far into idolatry, God shows His heart. 

In my mind, this book has offered sharper rebukes of Israel than other books. So sharp, in fact, at times it felt like God had tossed Israel aside. Yet, the opening section where God told Hosea to take a wife of whoredom, and to take her back each time she left with another man, should have been a clue that God was not through with Israel. If that wasn’t enough to help me believe that God is not done with Israel, this last chapter should do the trick. 

First, God shows His heart when He calls Israel to repent. “Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity” (1). God desires to forgive and restore Israel. 

Second, God says what will happen if Israel repents. “I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them” (4‬).

This consistency gives me hope that God will forgive and restore me when I sin. 

Father, thank you for your kindness and mercy. Thank you for your faithfulness. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, forgiveness, Hosea, idolatry, Old Testament, Restoring Israel

Ezekiel 47:9

December 5, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes.” (Ezekiel 47:9)

This is a cool image. Water will flow eastward from below the temple, eventually making its way to the Dead Sea. Currently, people can float on the Dead Sea because of the high mineral content. When Ezekiel 47 is fulfilled, people will not float so easily because it will no longer be the “Dead Sea.” It will be alive! The water will be fresh and filled with living creatures. Waterfront property will suddenly be valuable, not for security but for fishing! Changes are coming, and the source is what is happening in the temple. (I believe Jesus will be sitting in this temple).

Father, help me realize you influence everything for life. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Ezekiel, Old Testament, Prophecy, Restoring Israel

Ezekiel 43:4-7

December 1, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“As the glory of the Lord entered the temple by the gate facing east, the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple. While the man was standing beside me, I heard one speaking to me out of the temple, and he said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the people of Israel forever. And the house of Israel shall no more defile my holy name, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoring and by the dead bodies of their kings at their high places.” (Ezekiel 43:4-7)

This feels like the punchline of all these measurements. Ultimately, God was revealing to Ezekiel the details of the place he would once again dwell among Israel.

The first thing that stood out to me was that the glory of the Lord will enter from the east. When the glory of the Lord departed the temple, He left toward the east (Ezekiel 10). Similarly, when Jesus ascended to heaven, He took off from the Mt of Olives, the mountain to the east of the Temple. (Acts 1)

The second thing that stands out is that this is the place where God will dwell with Israel FOREVER! Things have come full circle. God dwelt among His people, but they rebelled against Him. He sent them away as punishment. Then, He promised to regather them in their land. Now, He says He will dwell with them forever. That means Israel will be redeemed and restored. This is the group into which we will be grafted in (Romans 9-11)!

Father, thank you for the promise of redemption. Help me live today like I believe I will dwell with you forever. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Old Testament, Prophecy, Restoring Israel
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