God’s Justice ---- Smelling
“I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. Even though you bring Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! (Amos 5:21-24 NIV)
At the dining room table, as a young boy, I sometimes was commanded to apologize for misbehavior. I sometimes said the words, but did not mean them.
When in the middle of a financial crises, I have sometimes tithed purely out of obligation, with no gladness in my heart.
I remember worshipping one particular Lord’s Day, while failing in a struggle with Sin. I sang praises. I read God’s Word. I muttered prayers. But I meant none of it.
All of those things are a stench, in Amos’ words.
And the answer to all of them, and others like them, is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Redeemer… Christ Jesus.
Because He brings justice. He takes the penalties of Sin on Himself, and frees my back from those burdens. He brings justice. He covers me with His holy robes so that I become, in God’s eyes, righteous. He brings justice. He takes all my stenchy insincerity, when I cry out to Him, and changes me in God’s eyes.
It is a surprising Justice. It is a gracious Justice. It is a saving Justice.
And it smells wonderful.