Bad news, dire predictions, conspiracy theories – I’m not a
fan of all that. Some people are so eager, it seems to me, to see the worst. It’s not all gloom and doom! I am not,
however, content to be like the proverbial ostrich with my head in the sand as troubles
come. My experience of life is a mix – trials and blessings, good days as well
as bad, sunshine and rain. What I do know
beyond a shadow of a doubt is that I cannot resign myself to fate! Life is shaped by choices and I have the
privilege of understanding the world in which I live and helping to make it a
better place. And, above all, I trust in a God of justice Who will sit to
judge, and I know that I, and no one else, can stand His fiery gaze unless we
are graced with the salvation of Christ Jesus received by faith.
Amos, a shepherd among the Jews of Judah, heard the voice of
the Spirit and left the farm to go preach. His message was one of pending
judgment, presented in the most colorful words. He spoke of the injustice the rich visited on
the poor, calling the noble women ‘cows
of Bashan!’ They were, he said, overfed, fat, and self-indulgent. He spoke of Israel being torn apart and the remnant
being like what a “shepherd saves from
the lion’s mouth- only two leg bones or a piece of an ear.’ He spoke of the nation being like a basket of ripe fruit, meaning that it
was on the edge of spoiling. He compared them to a wall built without a plumb
line, therefore not straight, and leaning; ready to collapse. This
humble preacher invited real repentance,
genuine heart change, and a return to God. "Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music
of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a
never-failing stream!" (Amos 5:23-24, NIV)
But, nobody wanted to
hear his sermons. The king sent him a message. “Get out
of here, you prophet! Go on back to the land of Judah, and earn your living by
prophesying there! Don’t bother us with your prophecies here in Bethel. This is
the king’s sanctuary and the national place of worship!” But Amos replied, “I’m
not a professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one. I’m just a
shepherd, and I take care of sycamore-fig trees." (Amos 7:12-14, NLT) Amos
wasn’t paid to sit on panels of talking heads to issue predictions of doom. He
was stirred by the Spirit of God to warn the people of the consequences of
their sins.
But, it was not all dire prophecies of destruction. His
message was finished with promise! Seeing
beyond the judgment, he heard the Lord’s word. “In that day I will restore David’s fallen tent. I will repair its
broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be, so that they
may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear my name,”
declares the Lord, who will do these things." (Amos 9:11-12, NIV)
My friend are you ready to hear the whole counsel of God?
Will you hear His invitation to real change, to a holy life?
Will you understand that He is just and quite capable of bringing judgment?
Or, will you just sing louder, drowning out the voice of the Spirit with cheery positive messages of blue skies and prosperity?
Will you hear His invitation to real change, to a holy life?
Will you understand that He is just and quite capable of bringing judgment?
Or, will you just sing louder, drowning out the voice of the Spirit with cheery positive messages of blue skies and prosperity?
There is hope, in
the mercy of God. Our word from the Word is an invitation to life. Let’s hear
it, the whole truth, of sin, of judgment, of repentance, and of restoration
through love and grace.
"Seek the Lord
while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed.” (Isaiah 55:6-13, NIV)
Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed.” (Isaiah 55:6-13, NIV)
___________________
Lord I Need You
Lord I come I confess
Bowing here I find my
rest
And without You I fall
apart
You're the one that
guides my heart
Lord I need You oh I
need You
Ev'ry hour I need You
My one defense my
righteousness
Oh God how I need You
Where sin runs deep
Your grace is more
Where grace is found
is where You are
And where You are Lord
I am free
Holiness is Christ in
me
Where You are Lord I
am free
Holiness is Christ in
me
So teach my song to
rise to You
When temptation comes
my way
And when I cannot
stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope
and stay
And when I cannot
stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope
and stay
Lord I need You oh I
need You
Ev'ry hour I need You
My one defense my
righteousness
Oh God how I need You
My one defense my
righteousness
Oh God how I need You
Christy Nockels | Daniel Carson | Jesse Reeves | Kristian
Stanfill | Matt Maher
© 2011 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
CCLI License # 810055
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