Amos: Introduction (5)
Opening Prayer: Psalm 91.1-3
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
Sing Psalm 91.1-3
(Lauda Anima: Praise My Soul the King of Heaven)
All who dwell within God’s shelter in His shadow will reside.
He our Tow’r, our Fortress ever, in Him we our trust confide.
From the trapper’s snares He saves us; safe from sickness we abide.
Read Amos 1.3-2.16.
Preparation
1. How many times does God say, “I will…”?
2. What does this suggest about the will of God?
Meditation
The writer of the book of Hebrews reminds us that “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10.31). Why would he write such a thing? Isn’t it comforting to know that our lives are in God’s hands? That we may find refuge and shelter in Him? To know His good and perfect will and to be at peace in it?
Well, yes. Unless, of course, our lives are on a course that the writer describes just prior to this verse: “Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. And again, ‘The LORD will judge His people’” (Heb. 10.28-30).
In Amos’ day, Israel, Judah, and the nations around them had all rejected the Law of God. God willed that they should obey Him and realize all the blessings and wisdom that come from keeping His Law (cf. Deut. 28.1-14; 4.5-8). He paid them the great benefit of existence and all the daily benefits of grace that entails. They repaid Him with ingratitude and thought they could step out from under His will to “do their own thing”. But they ignored or forgot what God said He will do to those who reject His Law.
We can never safely avoid, escape, ignore, neglect, or defy the will of God. He “works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Eph. 1.11) and that “all things” includes bringing discipline against His people whenever we, by our disobedience and sin, have “trampled the Son of God underfoot”. We need only fear what the hands of God might do when we deny His Word and live as we choose. The will of God which He exercised in the book of Amos continues to be part of His will today. And for us, as for them, gratitude and obedience are at the top of His list.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
No one can desire or will themselves to be saved from the “wrath to come” (1 Thess. 1.10). Only God can do that—it is His gift to us and has nothing to do with our good works or wishes (Eph. 2.8, 9).
But there is something we can do after we are saved, and that is to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2.12).
It is an either or, if then, and if when situation. We can choose to arrive in heaven in the same receiving blanket we were born in, or we can enter heaven as mature Christians having daily striven to be more like our dear and precious Savior Jesus Christ. “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 Jn. 3.2, 3). If this is the hope that daily drives our soul, then there will be nothing in this life that we desire more than to be like Him. And this will please our Father in heaven.
We can choose to live in a way that will make it necessary for us to hear: “I will not turn away its punishment…I will send a fire…I will cut off…I will turn My hand against…I will kindle a fire…” (Amos 1.3-2.6).
Or, we can choose by obedience to hear: “But the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be His people, an inheritance, as you are this day” (Deut. 4.20). “A chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1 Pet. 2.9, 10).
So, considering that goodness and mercy, let us endeavor to live each moment of every day, that when all is said and done, we can say with Paul:
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge,
will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Tim. 4.6-8).
This is God’s “I Will” for us.
Reflection
1. How do you know when you are not in God’s will?
2. What are the best ways to be sure you stay in God’s will?
3. How would you explain to a new believer how to know God’s will and why they should?
[T]he Prophet puts here the Israelites in the same bundle with the Moabites, the Idumeans, and other heathen nations; as though he said, “God will not spare your neighbors; but think not that ye shall be exempt from his vengeance, when they shall be led to punishment; I now declare to you that God will be the judge of you all together.” John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on Amos 1.3
Closing Prayer: Psalm 91.4-16
Use this time of prayer to seek the shelter of God’s will and the peace and joy of His Presence. Thank Him for the angels He will send to protect you today. Seek His good and perfect will for the day ahead.
Sing Psalm 91.4-16
(Lauda Anima: Praise My Soul the King of Heaven)
He will shade us with His pinions, ‘neath His wings we safety find.
From night’s terror, from day’s arrow, from the fears that stalk our mind.
When destruction falls at noon time, safe in Him shall we abide.
Thousands at our sides may falter—it will not to us come near!
We instead shall see the end of all who at God’s mercy sneer.
Evil shall no more befall us for we hold the Lord most dear.
He shall give His angels charge to bear us up, lest we should fall;
they will guard and carry all who on the Savior’s mercy call.
Cobra, mighty lion, serpent: We shall tread upon them all!
Save us, Lord! We love You only; set us up secure on high!
You we know, on You we call in trouble: Hear us when we cry!
Show us Your salvation, let long life forever satisfy!
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
