The Speck in Our Eyes

Scripture Text : Amos 2:4-16

Amos 2 started with the scenario where the Israelites were listening to the various pronouncements of judgments made upon their neighbours, for the numerous sins they had committed. Imagine how they felt when Amos, the prophet eventually turned to the Israelites and they found themselves the target of his continued verbal onslaught! Israel and Judah were considered the favoured ones and they were the ones who knew God’s Law, literally inside out.

How then was this possible; that the people who were “the apple of God’s eye”, could have lost His favour and incur His Wrath and Judgment? Let us examine the causes and reasons how this was possible:-

1) Israel and Judah knew God’s commands but did not follow them.

Judah rejected the Law of God and allowed themselves to be deceived by the same lies that led their ancestors astray from walking with the Lord. They deliberately turned away from every conceivable Law of God that was given to them. Likewise the Israelites were called to be holy, as the Lord was holy but they did not do what was needed of them. They did not set themselves apart for His use and service. They knew God’s Law but they chose to ignore them.

Application and Reflection: Lest we complacently think that this will never happen to us because we attend church regularly, and we are nowhere close to committing the kind of sins Israel committed as mentioned in Amos 2, let us reflect. Can we, while warming the church pews and absorbing the weekly messages of our Pastors, also just keep what we hear, only in our heads? Do we listen actively? Do we act out obediently? Have we asked God for one application that we can make for each week? How about telling our spouse or a good friend about it, so that there can be greater accountability?

2) Israel fell into depravity because they forgot who and how they got to where they were

From Amos 2:9-11, we learnt that the Israelites forgot Who brought them out of Egypt and Who eradicated the Amorites who were occupying their land. As readers, we find it incredulous that a nation who has experienced such Grace could forget the Lord and His commandments. Israel thought that they were great but they forgot Who made them great.

Application and Reflection: We may shake our heads in disbelief at the Israelites, for forgetting their source of blessings. However, before we do that let us examine ourselves. How often do we ourselves forget the Lord especially during the great moments of our lives? When we are just to busy doing ‘fun’ activities during the Christmas and Easter seasons, is not God usually the last Person on our minds?

3) When God stands beside us our ‘boasts’ crumble

Indeed, Amos 2:12-16 speaks of how the swiftest will not outrun God’s judgment, the bravest will lose courage at the sight of the Lord’s coming judgment, and the strongest will become weak. We may think that we are highly capable but in the presence of the Almighty God, our achievements fade in the dust. Humility is therefore, the recommended trait that we humans must have, as we journey through life. It keeps us in our place, rather than lead us into the illusion of trusting in our own capabilities.

Application and Reflection: What a timely reminder for us to look at the speck in our eyes and not look at the fault of others. Have we turned away from God? Now is the time for repentance. Remember when God’s judgment comes it will be swift and He will punish…Judgment does come to the unrepentant.

Prayer Response:

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for reminding me that if we, your people will humble ourselves and pray for repentance, You the merciful God will forgive us of our sins and heal our land, and our hearts. Help me always to look at the speck that is in my eyes and not at my neighbours’ faults. Amen.

Devotional based on the message by Rev. Joel Yong