Pray the word with David Platt as a resource from Radical.net.

Wow, these verses are filled with potent imagery and just kind of cut to the chase.

The picture here is God is describing specifically the wealthy women of Israel who had far

more than what they needed. And in a sense, could ever want. They had all this world could offer

and they were just soaking it up. But even that wasn't enough. They wanted more. They say to their

husbands, bring more that we may drink. Meanwhile, they are oppressing the poor and crushing

the needy. You see the picture of people who had so much stuff who were enjoying all the things

this world has to offer while turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to the poor and the needy around

them. Actually, not even just turning a blind eye and deaf ear to them, but living in such a way

that made life worse for the poor and the needy, oppressing the poor and crushing the needy.

And as I read that, I just think God help us. God help every one of us. And I put myself in the

front of the line here with all of the things we have in this world to use those things to help the

poor, to lift up the needy, to do justice, love, mercy, as we walk humbly with God in light of

Micah chapter 6. God help us not to oppress the poor. God help us not to crush the needy. God help

us not to be a people who have so much in this world. And we just want more and we just want more

and we want more God free us from the love of money, the pursuit of possessions. God use our lives

and all the grace you give us, the possessions you give us, the resources you give us for the good

of the poor, for the good of those in need. God repreh that you would help us to do.

First Timothy chapter 6 to be generous and ready to share and invest our lives and what matters

forever in people who are in need. Physical needs, spiritual needs, God help us not to do what your

people were doing in Amos chapter 4. God help us to make our lives count for the spread of your love

in a world of urgent physical and spiritual need. We pray for the Kool-Obi people of Tajikistan

...