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Devotional For the Week—2 Oct 2006

M.A.D. Worship

Scriptural Text: Amos 4:1-13

In Amos 4, we observe that the 8th century Israelites behaved as if they were stricken by Mad Cow disease (aka Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis). Like cows which are infected by Mad Cow disease, the Israelites manifested bizarre behaviour. Scientists tell us that Mad Cow disease is caused by a biological substance called prions which has no DNA. In many ways, sin shares similar traits to prions in that it easily infects us, grows within us and has fatal consequences (Romans 6:23).

Israel is the chosen nation and being privileged to have God’s laws to guide them, they should have been a God fearing nation. However, they manifested bizarre behaviour in that they did not obey God and instead adopted the practices of the pagans who did not have God’s laws. What were the sins of Israel that caused God to be so angry? From the passage in Amos 4, we can identify three sins, based on the acrostic, M.A.D.

1) Moral and social mess (v.1-3)

Israel was a moral and social mess. The women of Israel behaved and lived like the highly-prized cows of Bashan. To be compared to a cow is certainly not a compliment. The cows of Bashan were given the lushest pastures to graze on. These cows not only grazed on the land they were given but also poached and wondered into the neighbouring meadows. Likewise, the women of Israel were pampered, spoilt, materialistic and greedy. These women were arrogant and filled with self-importance. They had little regard for God and the needy.

Reflection: In similar ways, many in Singapore exhibit the same characteristics. They are materially rich and will not hesitate to pamper themselves to look and feel good. Studies reveal that in 2002, the ‘look good’ business alone was worth US$350 million worldwide and these figures rise exponentially every year. Singapore does not escape this trend of self pampering. We not only pamper ourselves in Singapore but also travel to neighbouring countries (especially our poorer neighbours) in seek of luxurious food, indulgent spa treatments and other forms of self-pleasure but we ignore the plight of the large numbers of poor in those countries. On home soil, Singaporean employers have been noted to ill-treat their foreign labourers and domestic workers by not treating them fairly. We are rich but many of us hesitate to do good.

Application: Have you set aside money for the poor and the needy? If you do not have enough money, are you willing to set aside your time and simple resources to care for the less fortunate? What will you do this week with your wealth and resources? We should remember ‘to live simply, so that others may simply live.’

2) Acts of self-defined worship (v.4-5)

At Bethel and Gilgal, Israel sinned by offering unacceptable sacrifices and tithes to God (v.4). They also boasted about what they gave to the Lord (v.5). Although Israel did not totally abandoned Jehovah God, they also sought other gods. They were an adulterous nation, worshipping both Jehovah God and images of a calf and other gods. Likewise, Christians today are double minded. They worship God and have other ‘gods’ or ‘securities’ on the side as insurance in case Christ fails.

Reflection: Where do you place God in your life? Do you believe in insurance policies, luck, ’feng shui’, superstitions etc more than God? What is your faith based on? Do you go to church only if it suits your schedule? Do you sing songs of praise to entertain yourselves or are you concerned whether God is glorified and satisfied with your worship?

Application: God has given a clear instruction which is ‘to worship Him in spirit and in truth”. It is better to obey than to make sacrifices. What matter or person will you entrust wholly to God today?

3) Deaf ear to God’s warning (v.6-13)

Israel turned a deaf ear to God’s warning. God warned the Israelites more than five times and yet they did not return to Him. As the Israelites were not repentant, they were to face God’s impending judgment. God permitted the Israelites to experience defeat and calamity so that the remnant who survived would listen to Him.

Application: As Christians, we must listen with the intention to obey. We must not be deaf to God’s pleas. Instead, we should keep focused on God’s Word, learn to understand its implications for our lives and seek to apply it. Only then will we learn how to walk in joyful obedience. Which of God’s commandments will you obey today?

Prayer Response:

Lord, we humbly come before you repenting of our sins. We want to worship you in spirit and in truth. Help us to praise you and to please you alone. Help us also to be sensitive to those in need around us and not be self absorbed. We want to commit our whole lives to you and not be an adulterous Christian. Help us to involve you more in our lives. We pray all these in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Devotional based on the message by Pastor Leslie Lim.

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This Week's Devotional \| 2004 Devotionals \| 2005 Devotionals \| 2006 Devotionals Devotional For the Week—2 Oct 2006 M.A.D. Worship Scriptural Text: Amos 4:1-13 In Amos 4, we observe that the 8th century Israelites behaved as if they were stricken by Mad Cow disease (aka Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis). Like cows which are infected by Mad Cow disease, the Israelites manifested bizarre behaviour. Scientists tell us that Mad Cow disease is caused by a biological substance called prions which has no DNA. In many ways, sin shares similar traits to prions in that it easily infects us, grows within us and has fatal consequences (Romans 6:23). Israel is the chosen nation and being privileged to have God’s laws to guide them, they should have been a God fearing nation. However, they manifested bizarre behaviour in that they did not obey God and instead adopted the practices of the pagans who did not have God’s laws. What were the sins of Israel that caused God to be so angry? From the passage in Amos 4, we can identify three sins, based on the acrostic, M.A.D. 1) Moral and social mess (v.1-3) Israel was a moral and social mess. The women of Israel behaved and lived like the highly-prized cows of Bashan. To be compared to a cow is certainly not a compliment. The cows of Bashan were given the lushest pastures to graze on. These cows not only grazed on the land they were given but also poached and wondered into the neighbouring meadows. Likewise, the women of Israel were pampered, spoilt, materialistic and greedy. These women were arrogant and filled with self-importance. They had little regard for God and the needy. Reflection: In similar ways, many in Singapore exhibit the same characteristics. They are materially rich and will not hesitate to pamper themselves to look and feel good. Studies reveal that in 2002, the ‘look good’ business alone was worth US$350 million worldwide and these figures rise exponentially every year. Singapore does not escape this trend of self pampering. We not only pamper ourselves in Singapore but also travel to neighbouring countries (especially our poorer neighbours) in seek of luxurious food, indulgent spa treatments and other forms of self-pleasure but we ignore the plight of the large numbers of poor in those countries. On home soil, Singaporean employers have been noted to ill-treat their foreign labourers and domestic workers by not treating them fairly. We are rich but many of us hesitate to do good. Application: Have you set aside money for the poor and the needy? If you do not have enough money, are you willing to set aside your time and simple resources to care for the less fortunate? What will you do this week with your wealth and resources? We should remember ‘to live simply, so that others may simply live.’ 2) Acts of self-defined worship (v.4-5) At Bethel and Gilgal, Israel sinned by offering unacceptable sacrifices and tithes to God (v.4). They also boasted about what they gave to the Lord (v.5). Although Israel did not totally abandoned Jehovah God, they also sought other gods. They were an adulterous nation, worshipping both Jehovah God and images of a calf and other gods. Likewise, Christians today are double minded. They worship God and have other ‘gods’ or ‘securities’ on the side as insurance in case Christ fails. Reflection: Where do you place God in your life? Do you believe in insurance policies, luck, ’feng shui’, superstitions etc more than God? What is your faith based on? Do you go to church only if it suits your schedule? Do you sing songs of praise to entertain yourselves or are you concerned whether God is glorified and satisfied with your worship? Application: God has given a clear instruction which is ‘to worship Him in spirit and in truth”. It is better to obey than to make sacrifices. What matter or person will you entrust wholly to God today? 3) Deaf ear to God’s warning (v.6-13) Israel turned a deaf ear to God’s warning. God warned the Israelites more than five times and yet they did not return to Him. As the Israelites were not repentant, they were to face God’s impending judgment. God permitted the Israelites to experience defeat and calamity so that the remnant who survived would listen to Him. Application: As Christians, we must listen with the intention to obey. We must not be deaf to God’s pleas. Instead, we should keep focused on God’s Word, learn to understand its implications for our lives and seek to apply it. Only then will we learn how to walk in joyful obedience. Which of God’s commandments will you obey today? *Prayer Response:* Lord, we humbly come before you repenting of our sins. We want to worship you in spirit and in truth. Help us to praise you and to please you alone. Help us also to be sensitive to those in need around us and not be self absorbed. We want to commit our whole lives to you and not be an adulterous Christian. Help us to involve you more in our lives. We pray all these in Jesus’ name, Amen. *Devotional based on the message by Pastor Leslie Lim*.
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