No! No! No! – July 15, 2024

Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent a message to Jeroboam king of Israel: “Amos is raising a conspiracy against you in the very heart of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words. For this is what Amos is saying: “‘Jeroboam will die by the sword, and Israel will surely go into exile, away from their native land.’” Then Amaziah said to Amos, “Get out, you seer! Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your bread there and do your prophesying there. Don’t prophesy anymore at Bethel, because this is the king’s sanctuary and the temple of the kingdom.” Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the LORD took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’
Amos 7:10-15

No! No! No!

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“No! No! No!” Ashley held her hands over her ears and shouted. She loved to play at the park. When Mom and Dad said it was time to go home, she tried to block the message by holding her ears and shouting, “No!” Poor Ashley! She wanted to block out that her family was leaving. She wanted to play forever! But there was the truth—it was time to go.

Long ago, God sent the prophet Amos with a really sad message. It was something no one wanted to hear: The King of Israel will be killed, and the people of Israel will be taken away by enemies.

“No! No! No!” cried Amaziah, the priest. He tried to block God’s message. Amaziah confronted Amos the prophet. “Get out of here!” he said. “We don’t want to hear what you say.” But trying to block the message doesn’t make it not true.

“No! No! No!” cry many people today as they try to block God’s message from reaching their ears. Sadly, some people think that Bible truths don’t fit our world anymore. Others call Christians stubborn because we stand up for the truth of God’s Word. They say people should be able to believe whatever they decide and live however they want. They say we’re all just trying our hardest to do what we think is right, so no one should go to hell. But trying to block the message doesn’t make it not true. God’s Word is the truth, clearly saying that God demands perfect living according to his laws.

“No! No! No!” cries our sinful hearts when we want to block out God’s message. Thank God he sends the Holy Spirit and brings his truth into our screaming hearts. He knew what was best for us. He ignored our cries of “No!” and welcomed us into God’s family. He used baptism to quiet our shouts. The Word of God continues to calm us with the truth. He said, “Trying to block the message doesn’t make it not true. You are not perfect. That is true. Jesus was perfect for you. That is also true. When the perfect Jesus died, he cleared away any punishment coming to you for your imperfection. True, true, true!”

Praise God that his truth is louder than our shouts of “No!”

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, I shouted “no” at you, and you answered with “yes.” “Yes, I see your sin. Yes, I paid for your sin. Yes, I made you my child.” Thank you, Jesus! Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Was it ok for Ashley to yell, “No!” at her mom and dad?
• Has Mom and Dad ever had to confront you for yelling “No!” to them? What should you then say to them? (“I’m sorry.”) What good news will they say to you? (“I forgive you.”)

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• The Bible says that we are born enemies of God, shouting “No!” to him. What would have happened if the Holy Spirit hadn’t found us and gave us faith?
• What did the Holy Spirit use to change our rebellious hearts into hearts that love and trust God?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• God’s Law demands that we live perfectly, according to his rules. Why do you think people don’t want to hear that?
• God’s gospel says that Jesus did everything for our salvation, and the Holy Spirit did everything to bring us to faith. Why do you think people don’t want to hear that?