Be On the Watch

Read Amos 5-10
 
Amos 6:1 & 3 What sorrow awaits you who lounge in luxury in Jerusalem, and you who feel secure in Samaria! You are famous and popular in Israel, and people go to you for help…3 You push away every thought of coming disaster, but your actions only bring the day of judgment closer.
 
THE fear of God seemed to always be less when Israel and Judah were comfortable. God’s chosen people became complacent. They apparently believed they could keep God at a distance, and he would still protect them. Kings told prophets to be quiet because their warnings disturbed the kings. God’s severe warnings fell on ears that didn’t want to hear. God’s people were smug in their sins. No fear meant no repentance, and one day there was no Israel.
   Complacency can quickly separate our hearts from loving relationships. It takes effort to be in relationship with our loved ones. We need to continually find ways to express our love. And we must be open to receive their love.
   This certainly is true of our love relationship with God. The evil one likes it when you are complacent as Israel was. He wants you to believe you don’t need God’s laws, or it takes too much effort to know and love God. Christians reject the means of grace such as reading the Bible, going to church and praying regularly because they have a complacent relationship with the One who died for them.  Satan is a great divider. He knows a complacent heart will find many ways to forget God’s love. He also wants us to ignore God’s judgment warnings, just as Israel did.
   One way Jesus came to save us was to warn us of the last days. Mark 13:33 And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!  
   Yes, be alert. You don’t know what tomorrow holds. But you do know that one day you will stand before God. Will God find you a complacent Christian who missed the full life he desired for you? Or will he reward you for your passionate pursuit of God?
 
The Hope to Tell
 
Amos 9:13-14 “The time will come,” says the Lord, “when the grain and grapes will grow faster than they can be harvested. Then the terraced vineyards on the hills of Israel will drip with sweet wine! 14 I will bring my exiled people of Israel back from distant lands, and they will rebuild their ruined cities and live in them again. They will plant vineyards and gardens; they will eat their crops and drink their wine.”
 
THE LORD always points us through the judgment to the final days of his new creation. Amos’ prophecies close with that joyful promise.
   Here is the New Eden, which will come to earth in God’s eternal reign. Israel is the church, the nation of peace and prosperity gathered from the ends of the earth under Jesus’ rule.
   This is the hope we have to share with the world. Let’s continue to work to point people to Jesus.