December 12
Amos 7:1-9:15 | PS 131:1-3 | Prov 29:23 | Rev 3:7-22
Why are we so careful? Why do we feel so unqualified? Why do we care more about hurting one’s feelings, or what others think about us, than one’s eternal destination. Amos did not hold back. After being warned to remain quiet by the priest of Bethel in Amos 7:12-13, Amos produces his resume in 7:14-15, “I was no prophet, Nor was I a son of a prophet, But I was a sheepbreeder And a tender of sycamore fruit. Then the Lord took me as I followed the flock, And the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’” Amos was a common man, a farmer, but he was obedient to the calling and stood before the king and most prominent citizens of Israel without hesitation.” What was his message? We see it in 7:11, “ ‘Jeroboam (the king) shall die by the sword, And Israel shall surely be led away captive From their own land.’ ”
Amos did not convey these words to be mean, he like all of the prophets before and after him issued words to have the people change their ways, seek God, and possibly avert judgment. Jesus did not hold back on His condemning remarks towards the church of Laodicea as we read in Revelation 3:15-17, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—“.
Everyone believes, “Not me”. Everyone believes they can sidestep, manipulate, worm their way out of judgment. But to Him who sees all, we read from Amos 9:1-3, “Strike the doorposts, that the thresholds may shake, And break them on the heads of them all. I will slay the last of them with the sword. He who flees from them shall not get away, And he who escapes from them shall not be delivered. “Though they dig into hell, From there My hand shall take them; Though they climb up to heaven, From there I will bring them down; And though they hide themselves on top of Carmel, From there I will search and take them; Though they hide from My sight at the bottom of the sea, From there I will command the serpent, and it shall bite them;”. There is simply nowhere to hide from an All knowing, All present, All powerful God. So, we all have a choice. Everyone will one day bow the knee before Jesus. If we spare those around us now to be “nice”, they won’t deem it so nice when they come before the Judge, and the verdict is final. If God can call a farmer, a man who picks figs, He can call each and everyone of us, if we come to Him in humility and in obedience.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: