Amos 4 - This AND That...

 Amos - Chapter 4

I want to focus on Israel, in verses 6 through 13.

Basically, God has made life difficult in many ways for the people of Israel, all in an attempt to turn their dependence back to Him and away from the blessings they receive from Him. I believe this flies south in comparison to the messages being shared by many of today's prophets, as well as by those who preach any form of a prosperity gospel. 

Verse 12 - "...prepare to meet your God, O Israel." Wow! Could not these same words be spoken today? We cling to a God who blesses us financially, and in our leadership, and in our health. But is that the God of the Bible? Yes, God blessed many godly people in the Bible. He also allowed many to suffer. The rain fell on the just and the unjust! (Matt 5:43-45)

Why do we believe those who prophesied that Trump would win? Is it because we serve a Republican God? Is it because we serve a God who always allows the righteous to win? Is it because we serve a God who would not allow us to suffer under unjust leadership? Have you read your Bible? What about the Israelites serving under Pharaoh? The Babylonian Captivity? The stoning of Stephen or the beheading of John the Baptist? The persecution of Paul, as well as the early Christians? 

Perhaps there is more truth in 2 Chronicles 7:13,14 than we want to see. When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. When will God hear? When His people hear AND seek His face. I fear that many of the prayers that are being offered are more about relief from evil and persecution than they are about seeking His face. They are more about getting blessings than serving the giver of those blessings. 

God help us.

Amos 2 - Has God Found What He is Looking For?

Amos - Chapter 2

I chose this book because of our current political situation. Some still don't believe that the election results are legit, and hold that the truth will yet come out. They believe that God is working to expose the corruption, and when it is revealed, things will be set right and those guilty will be held accountable. I wonder if that includes us?

God sends forth judgement in chapter 2. Moab gets it pretty good, an they deserved it too. But there is also judgement on Judah. The chosen ones? The tribe through which the Messiah would come? Say it isn't so. But it is. They are guilty not of the corruption of Moab, but of rejecting the law and not keeping the statutes of God. They have believed and perpetuated lies. So are we much different? Perhaps we are not corrupt politicians, but what about faithfulness? Do we know God's word, or do we trust some local or television preacher? Do we listen to those who prophesy about God's desire for our health and wealth, or do we read about God's holiness and justice. A justice that is for all. So Moab gets judgement, and so does Judah. Maybe in the process of all that is going on, we too are seeing God's wrath for sin.

Israel does not avoid punishment either. Grievous sins. Abuse of the poor, of women. God's name profaned because of it. This after God has taken them and led them to a place where they could worship and live in peace, by defeating some powerful enemies. Enemies more powerful than they could have slain on their own. 

It seems that now that they have some strength and power, they are prideful and have forgotten about their need for God. But God will remind them. Their power and might will not save them. Nor will their wealth. 

I think about the Israelites fleeing from the Egyptians. Yay! God saves the day and rescues them. The corruption of Egypt is exposed and Israel is free. Free to leave. Free to wander aimlessly in the desert for 40 years. Not the freedom they were hoping for. But God had to teach them too. Teach them perhaps the value of freedom. Teach them that freedom from the Egyptians is not freedom from God. Teach them to trust God, even when things look bleak. That sea must have looked awful foreboding before God parted it for them. 

I do not know what the future holds. Will corruption be exposed? Will we see glory days? Will darkness take over? I don't know. What I do know is that God is looking for faithfulness. Faithfulness in captivity. Faithfulness in wandering. Faithfulness in times of blessing. For those in corruption, unfaithfulness, or any other sin, know that there is always accountability. For no matter the circumstances of this life, judgement awaits us all. And only those in Christ will be to bear it.

2 Thess 2:9-12

SCRIPTURE

The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

COMMENT

Do you believe in Satan? In the Bible? I can't help but think of how the political situation in the U.S. right now mirrors this Scripture. Only both sides would look at the other and say that they are the blind ones. All except the ones who are in control, masterminding the situation. But they are not solely to blame, because the ones who are perishing failed to love the truth, and so be saved. 

God sent a strong delusion. That is a scary term. I feel like there are many strong delusions going on right now. So the question we need to ask ourselves is not what does the other side believe, but what am I buying in to? So much of politics is deception, the buying of votes with promises made with other peoples' money. And the politicians go on and live the good life, without a true care for their constituents. Complain how global warming is causing the fires in California, while munching on ice cream from one of two -$10,000 freezers. Flying all over the country while trying to prevent the ecological crisis. No one is exempt. 

The pleasure in unrighteousness is not reserved for the politicians. It is for the greedy constituents who vote for them because of what the politicians will do for them, regardless of what is best for the country. 

Is the end near?

Bernie Sanders - Really doesn't get it

Like most liberals, or often people in general, Bernie Sanders just doesn't get it. In last week's confirmation hearings of Russell T. Vought, the following exchange took place.




I saw one comment on youtube, it stated, "Mr. Sanders is doing the very thing he is accusing Mr. Vought of doing—being exclusive. He is obviously rejecting Mr. Vought because of his beliefs." I couldn't agree more.

Seems like Bernie was trying to dig up some dirt on Mr. Vought, and found this article. An article where Mr. Vought is defending his university and expressing his values. But those values don't line up with Mr. Sanders values, so the attack was on. I find it interesting that when Mr. Vought is explaining his answer, and doing it well, that Mr. Sanders cuts him off and says, "again, I apologize, forgive me, we just don't have a lot of time." He then restates the question. If you don't have a lot of time, then why did you ask the question? But the answer is obvious, it is because he only wants a yes or no answer. He wants to make Mr. Vought appear racist or Islamophobic.

Are some Christians racist or Islamophobic. I would say yes, but Christianity in itself does not support such a position. And I believe Mr. Vought expressed that well. It is a core belief of Christianity that Jesus is the only way to salvation. Expressing that belief should not be a crime, nor should it be a litmus test for confirmation.

I am thankful to see that Mr. Vought was confirmed. Sorry Bernie, the only one expressing intolerance appeared to be you.