Keep Your Mouth Shut

So those who are smart keep their mouths shut, for it is an evil time. [Amos 5.13]

Amos was predicting a time of destruction, loss and suffering for Israel. It was not a pretty picture. Nothing about it was good. But in his narration of doom, Amos offers a word of advice.

Why "keep your mouth shut?"

As it speaks to me today, the benefit in keeping one's mouth shut is found in the absence of self-justification. God is tired of self-justification! 

"I am innocent!"

"This isn't fair!"

"I did nothing wrong!"

"It's not my fault!"

These are all things God does not want to hear.

There is only one thing that God wants to hear from our mouths in evil times (times of trouble, suffering and pain): "Father, forgive me - I have sinned!" 

Or does he?

“I hate all your show and pretense—the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings. I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings. Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living. [Amos 5.21-24]

What I see above is that God is saying, "Don't tell me You are devoted to Me - SHOW Me you are devoted to Me!"

Father, even my words of repentance are useless if I do not live justly.