Amos 9:11 On that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen, and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old; 12 in order that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name, says the LORD who does this.

The book of Amos has thus far been a description of judgment for unfaithful Israel. No surprise there. However, the book ends with words of hope. The “booth” of David in v.11 is probably a metaphor for the “city of David” which is another name for Jerusalem. I’m thinking it also refers to the “house of David”, which points to David’s descendants who assumed the throne after his death (starting with Solomon and continuing for several generations). God had promised David there would be a king of his family line on the throne forever. Yet we know that, due to their unfaithfulness and sin over many generations, the throne and city were both destroyed. That destruction is what Amos has described for most of this book.

In our passage, however, there is the promise of restoration. And indeed, once God’s people were permitted to return to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon they rebuilt the city. Yet they remained under foreign rule, most notably from the Romans. I can imagine the disappointment for Israel when the city was restored but the kingdom was not. And then Jesus showed up on the scene, giving hope that the rest of the prophecy would be fulfilled. Finally – one of their own sitting on the throne governing the people, commanding the armies, restoring Israel’s former glory. But it was not to be.

God fulfilled the promise, but not in the way people wanted or expected.

I think this sort of thing happens to me more than I’d care to admit. When I’m asking the Lord for something I can get tunnel vision, looking for something specific when the Lord may have something different in mind. Two Christian sayings come to mind for me this morning:

“When you’re waiting for the Lord to open a door, praise him in the hallway.”

In other words, even before I’ve seen the breakthrough or relief it’s important to give thanks in the waiting. Then there’s…

“Sometimes when I’m waiting for the door to be opened, the Lord opens a window.”

Same idea. I don’t want to have blinders on to what the Lord is doing or how the Lord may be responding. That’s what I’m praying about today. Where do I have blinders on? How about you?

Lord open our eyes to see your hand move in unexpected ways. Amen.