Seek God and Live: The Lion Roars

Scripture Text : Amos 1

When we read the first chapter of Amos, we cannot help but notice both the mercy and the wrath of God. The merciful God can be seen when He used Amos (a mere shepherd and a sycamore fig farmer) to warn the nations, in particular, Israel, to repent and return to Him. He gave a 2-year warning before His patience reached its limits – then a mighty earthquake struck!

When the earthquake struck, it came expediently and swiftly upon the nations, namely, Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, Moab, Judah and Israel.

What caused the normally patient God to mete out His Wrath? It was the sins of these people. Amos 1 spells out clearly the sins of the nations and these sins can be broadly divided into 3 categories:

(i) The nations did not value life and treated people as though they were merely objects (Amos1:3-8)

(ii) The nations’ hearts were filled with bitterness and unforgiveness (Amos1:9-12)

(iii) The nations did not provide and protect the poor and the underprivileged. (Amos 1:13 – 2:3)

The common devilish thread weaving through these 3 sins is the sin of SELFISHNESS or SELF-CENTREDNESS. This common sinful trait is evidenced by the nations taking advantage of the poor by making them slaves, by being bitter towards each other and by being intent on maximizing their own profits at the expense of others. We have to realise that sinful actions directed against our fellow men, provoke reactions from God.

Application:

How relevant is this bit of historical information to us today? Well, we may scoff and say that we do not indulge in the slave trade or in ripping pregnant women apart. However, let us do a self-check. We will have to admit that we do have a similar self-centredness in all of us. Like the 8 sinful nations mentioned in Amos 1, we may not want to come to terms with these sins, hoping or assuming that God will overlook them as His mercy will ultimately prevail. We may even take for granted that He will not turn His wrath against us. We may also complacently say in our minds that the nations mentioned have nothing to do with us as what they did took place a long time ago and that they are countries far away. Whatever our thoughts may be, the warnings still apply to us today. God is aware of our sins and we must heed the warning signs given and not deafen our ears from them!

“The Lord roars from Zion and thunders from Jerusalem...
The Lion of Judah is roaring, but are we hearing?
The King of Zion is shouting, but are we listening?

One thing worse than a Gentile sinning is a Jew sinning, but one thing worse than a Jew sinning is a Christian sinning. Why? The Gentile does not know the Lord; the Jews have the law but do not have the grace to keep it; but we, Christians have received God’s grace to keep His law. Jesus has paid the price to fulfill the law and extended His grace to us to help us live righteously before Him. A greater privilege equals a great responsibility. You and I have a lesser excuse not to walk in the fear and righteousness of God.

Prayer Response:

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for this timely reminder that there is a limit to your patience. Help me to realise that although you love me and died for me, you are still the same God who hate sins. Help me never to take my sins lightly and to constantly try to live a life pleasing to you, never taking for granted, your mercy and your grace.

Devotional based on the message by Rev. Vincent Goh