Whatever God Says

Scripture – Amos 9:1-4: ¹I saw the Lord standing by the altar, and he said: “Strike the tops of the pillars so that the thresholds shake. Bring them down on the heads of all the people; those who are left I will kill with the sword. Not one will get away, none will escape. ²Though they dig down to the depths of the grave, from there my hand will take them. Though they climb up to the heavens, from there I will bring them down. ³Though they hide themselves on the top of Carmel, there I will hunt them down and seize them. Though they hide from me at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent to bite them. ⁴Though they are driven into exile by their enemies, there I will command the sword to slay them. I will fix my eyes upon them for evil and not for good.”

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) What a terrible picture this is. If God fixes His eyes upon someone “for evil and not for good,” what chance do they have? I find myself growing weary of these negative images from Amos. At the same time, that’s what the people needed to hear. That’s what God called him to say. Perhaps the message will begin to sink in.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) I will pay attention to God’s call for me today – in this day and age. I will deliver whatever message He gives me as I read the Bible and draw the lessons for the church.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, give me the boldness and confidence to listen and respond to you. Let my preaching reflect your message for us in this present age – whether I like it or not – whether people like it or not.