December 17, 2006 - Amos 7-9 and Revelation 8
Sometimes, as we are walking along we notice something that is out of place or something that is not made correctly, but we do not stop and address the problem. We pass it by. In these passages we read about a time when God will no longer pass by without taking actions to correct what He sees that is wrong. God does pass by in His mercy at times. However, He is just, so there comes a time when He must act. When God corrects things and people, He does it completely. When God looks at you and I, what does He see that needs to be addressed? If we don't take action, one day He will make it right in His way and suddenly.
Amos is full of vivid word pictures in this passage. God answers the prayers of Amos for his people. God decides not to destroy them completely because of their sins. However, He will not pass by anymore, either. (7:8;8:2) The first word picture portrays God as a carpenter with a plumb line. The eye of the carpenter can see that something is not square, so He brings the plumb line, and He fixes it. (7:8) That is what God was going to do to Israel. Then, God is portrayed as a fruit inspector. He sees the over ripe, rotten fruit in the basket, and He has to stop and separate it from the good fruit. (8:1-2) God knows just how to intervene in our lives when we won't listen to Him. He does not keep sending us His Word. (8:11) He comes after us, and we can't get away. (9:1-4) Then, He gives us a good spanking, so we will return to Him. God's spankings are not pleasant at all. I pray that we will make the corrections in our lives, so God will not have to do it the hard way.
Revelation 8 tells of one of those times God could no longer pass by the sinfulness of man. In the Tribulation time God will get everyone's attention by sending great disasters on the earth. A third of the plants will die, a third of the seas will become blood, and a third of the freshwater will be spoiled. Then, God will even block out a third of the light. Can you imagine the impact those things will have on people? The problem is that even these devastating judgments will not be enough to cause people to turn back to the Lord. Their hearts will be too hard. How is your heart now? I pray that our hearts are soft and ready to listen to God, instead of having to endure His spankings.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Obadiah and Revelation 9.
Amos is full of vivid word pictures in this passage. God answers the prayers of Amos for his people. God decides not to destroy them completely because of their sins. However, He will not pass by anymore, either. (7:8;8:2) The first word picture portrays God as a carpenter with a plumb line. The eye of the carpenter can see that something is not square, so He brings the plumb line, and He fixes it. (7:8) That is what God was going to do to Israel. Then, God is portrayed as a fruit inspector. He sees the over ripe, rotten fruit in the basket, and He has to stop and separate it from the good fruit. (8:1-2) God knows just how to intervene in our lives when we won't listen to Him. He does not keep sending us His Word. (8:11) He comes after us, and we can't get away. (9:1-4) Then, He gives us a good spanking, so we will return to Him. God's spankings are not pleasant at all. I pray that we will make the corrections in our lives, so God will not have to do it the hard way.
Revelation 8 tells of one of those times God could no longer pass by the sinfulness of man. In the Tribulation time God will get everyone's attention by sending great disasters on the earth. A third of the plants will die, a third of the seas will become blood, and a third of the freshwater will be spoiled. Then, God will even block out a third of the light. Can you imagine the impact those things will have on people? The problem is that even these devastating judgments will not be enough to cause people to turn back to the Lord. Their hearts will be too hard. How is your heart now? I pray that our hearts are soft and ready to listen to God, instead of having to endure His spankings.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Obadiah and Revelation 9.