Amos 3-5 (The Daily Walk Bible).

Once again, we see God’s heart. Even with their sin, and even though His holiness demands justice, God cries out, “Seek me and live!” And 5:14 reminds us, “Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you.”

We also have a reminder here that we need to be careful what we wish for. We may cry out to God for His coming, but we have to realize that His coming signifies judgement. The day of the Lord starts out as darkness, and not light. Yes, we want Him to set up His kingdom, but we must also realize that once the ultimate “day of the Lord” comes, judgment falls. That means people will be separated from Him forever. 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us to be as patient, since “the Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”