“Seek good and not evil, that you may live. So the LORD God of hosts will be with you, as you have spoken. Hate evil, love good; establish justice in the gate. It may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.” (Amos 5:14–15, NKJV)

In the plant world there are annuals and perennials. I am fascinated by certain perennials in our garden. Even those in pots come up each spring. Somehow they survive the winter and break out in beauty again and again.

Likewise, there are perennial activities that continue to thrive and bear fruit year after year. We think of prayer, good works, and meditation on the word of God. We think of charitable giving and words of blessing, gratitude and encouragement to others. These things are perpetually good and bring forth a harvest of goodwill and righteousness. And they receive the eternal blessing of God.

But these things do not just “happen”. They must be sought out and diligently pursued. They require focused effort and striving against the flesh, the world and the devil. But they are the source of abundant and perpetual life.

Amos prophesied to the nation of Israel to hate evil, love good and establish justice before the judgment of God overtook them. Amos knew that the LORD was long suffering and merciful. Perhaps He would turn and relent from the disaster He was intending to bring. Maybe He would be gracious to the remnant of Joseph—the faithful ones from the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.

If such good seeking could have saved the wayward nation of Israel, then it can save our nation as well. Hating evil, loving good, and seeking justice can make our nation thrive and bear perennial fruit for generations to come.