D: Can you think of some “bleak and depressing words”?
V: Do you want me to start the day by thinking of some miserable and sad words?
D: Well, not exactly. This morning’s Power for Today author says that Amos had to deliver bleak and depressing words to God’s people.
V: But that’s only part of the message of the prophet Amos. There is also a positive section.
D: Right. The author says that it must have “uplifted” Amos (or cheered him up) and the people too to announce the second part of the message.
V: God’s punishment was not forever. There would be a better time coming.
D: In the author’s words, there would be light at the end of the “proverbial tunnel.”
V: I think he says “proverbial tunnel” because it’s such a common proverb to say that “there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
D: You’re smart. The author also tells us about a painting a friend of his painted one time that really has blessed his life.
V: I read that. It is a painting of a “ramshackle house.”
D: A “ramshackle” house is a house in very bad condition. And to make it worse, the house is being “buffeted” (or shaken) by strong winds.
V: The setting of the house is the “dark gloom of a predawn storm.”
D: This dark, gloomy painting does not sound very encouraging.
V: But remember the words that the artist gave the painting?
D: Yes. The words are “It’s morning, and morning will restore.”
V: Now, we can see the painting a different way. The house has just been through a storm which has lasted all night long.
D: And the house is still there. And a new day is beginning. Maybe just like today.
V: And it could be a good one. God bless your day.