Message from Scripture: 10/07/2020

 

Our message from Scripture today is Amos 6:1. “Woe to those who are at ease in Zion and to those who feel secure in the mountain of Samaria.”

Amos was God’s prophet to Samaria, which was the capital of Israel after it split into two nations. Although he spoke of God’s judgment against them specifically, he was quick to point out those in Zion, or Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, shared a point of commonality in God’s judgment. Both felt secure in the physical blessings they had, and because of this, that God would not condemn them for their unrepented sins. After all, the smoke of sacrifices being offered was present on a constant basis, and festive songs were being offered in the temple. Surely the day of the Lord would be a day of blessings, not of divine judgment. Amos’ declaration of God’s condemnation of such an attitude seemed out of place to them.

Amos offers a warning to us as well, about how deceitful sin is, how easy it is to be carried away by the stuff of life we have, and how important being introspective must be. The Hebrew writer said we must encourage each other every day, as long we have a today, to not be led away by sin (Heb. 3:13). Paul wrote the church in Corinth they must test themselves, to make sure they were in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5). Peter warned his readers to live the remainder of their lives not for human desires but for the will of God (1 Pet. 4:2). Clearly, like those in Israel and Judah of the past, Satan still works to deceive us into thinking the good life is based on what we possess materially, not in an essential walk with God.

Neither of those nations could see what laid ahead of them. Israel would be carried into Assyrian captivity in about 30 years, and Judah into Babylonian captivity in about 160 years. Even with that much time, Judah refused to genuinely repent, as they found time was no cure for a hardened heart.

May we always examine our hearts, to know our motives, to cling to God, to live for Him. Someday, the time for change will be too late. Make time for change today. God bless.

Robert