imported_rachel
02-13-2007, 10:09 AM
Like most of the Old Testament prophets, Amos was chosen by God to
deliver a message of repentance and judgement; "Seek the Lord and
live, or He will sweep through the house of Joseph like a fire" (Amos
5:6). God was calling His people to return, but they had wandered
far from His presence and showed no interest in a life of
worship. The economy of their day was thriving and the people had
few needs which went unfulfilled; they were content and saw little
need for God.
Through Amos, God sent a strong warning. Although He promises to
answer all who respond to His call, "Everyone who calls on the name
of the Lord will be saved" (Joel 2:32), and He promises to be VERY
patient, "not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to
repentance" (2 Peter 3:9), God also warns that the opportunity to
hear His Word may not always be available.
Amos 8:11-12
"'The days are coming,' declares the Sovereign Lord, 'when I will
send a famine through the land - not a famine of food or a thirst for
water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. Men will
stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for
the word of the Lord, but they will not find it.'"
When we hear the Word of God, the door is open and we are in the
middle of a God-directed opportunity. At that moment we have the
opportunity to respond to the truth and draw closer to our Heavenly
Father. But when we reject His Word, we begin to close the door and
harden our heart - the opportunity begins to fade: "So, as the Holy
Spirit says: 'Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your
heart'" (Hebrews 3:7-8).
We have been blessed to live during this time in history. Yes, we
face the unrelenting pressures of an over-indulgent, self-consumed
society; but we have also been blessed with a wonderful abundance of
the Word of God. In most parts of the world we have the freedom to
worship with other believers and full access to truth-filled
teaching. In fact, God's Word has become so readily available that
many of us take it for granted.
In the midst of our overflowing blessings, we are becoming complacent
and no longer treasure His precious gift. But what would happen if
His Word was taken away and no one was allowed to speak, no one
allowed to hear, the Word of God?
Our Heavenly Father loves us dearly. He "wants ALL men to be saved
and to come to a knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4); and He
wants those who believe to be "conformed to the likeness of His Son"
(Romans 8:29). Our Father continues to call us to know Him with a
greater and more intimate love. Let's make the most of this awesome
opportunity by receiving the Word of God, in all its forms, with a
hungry anticipation, and then by obediently responding to His
call. Let's shake off ALL forms of complacency and rejoice that we
do not yet live during a famine of hearing.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
************************************************** ***
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive06.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm
deliver a message of repentance and judgement; "Seek the Lord and
live, or He will sweep through the house of Joseph like a fire" (Amos
5:6). God was calling His people to return, but they had wandered
far from His presence and showed no interest in a life of
worship. The economy of their day was thriving and the people had
few needs which went unfulfilled; they were content and saw little
need for God.
Through Amos, God sent a strong warning. Although He promises to
answer all who respond to His call, "Everyone who calls on the name
of the Lord will be saved" (Joel 2:32), and He promises to be VERY
patient, "not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to
repentance" (2 Peter 3:9), God also warns that the opportunity to
hear His Word may not always be available.
Amos 8:11-12
"'The days are coming,' declares the Sovereign Lord, 'when I will
send a famine through the land - not a famine of food or a thirst for
water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. Men will
stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for
the word of the Lord, but they will not find it.'"
When we hear the Word of God, the door is open and we are in the
middle of a God-directed opportunity. At that moment we have the
opportunity to respond to the truth and draw closer to our Heavenly
Father. But when we reject His Word, we begin to close the door and
harden our heart - the opportunity begins to fade: "So, as the Holy
Spirit says: 'Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your
heart'" (Hebrews 3:7-8).
We have been blessed to live during this time in history. Yes, we
face the unrelenting pressures of an over-indulgent, self-consumed
society; but we have also been blessed with a wonderful abundance of
the Word of God. In most parts of the world we have the freedom to
worship with other believers and full access to truth-filled
teaching. In fact, God's Word has become so readily available that
many of us take it for granted.
In the midst of our overflowing blessings, we are becoming complacent
and no longer treasure His precious gift. But what would happen if
His Word was taken away and no one was allowed to speak, no one
allowed to hear, the Word of God?
Our Heavenly Father loves us dearly. He "wants ALL men to be saved
and to come to a knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4); and He
wants those who believe to be "conformed to the likeness of His Son"
(Romans 8:29). Our Father continues to call us to know Him with a
greater and more intimate love. Let's make the most of this awesome
opportunity by receiving the Word of God, in all its forms, with a
hungry anticipation, and then by obediently responding to His
call. Let's shake off ALL forms of complacency and rejoice that we
do not yet live during a famine of hearing.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
************************************************** ***
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive06.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm