Prepare to Meet Your God

Between 792 and 753 B.C., under the reigns of Jeroboam II in Israel (the northern kingdom) and Uzziah in Judah (the southern kingdom), both kingdoms experienced a time of relative prosperity. The two kings formed an alliance and ruled together for a brief time over an area nearly as large as that of David and Solomon. The downside was that they built their wealth at the expense of the poor. This was a time when the rich got richer and the poor got poorer. In fact, the poor became more numerous and many were sold into slavery.

In addition to this social injustice, Israel continued down the slippery slope of worshiping the idols of foreign gods and even making sacrifices to them. They simply continued to remain unfaithful to the Lord their God. Like so many before them, they put themselves, their wealth, their reputations, and anything but God ahead of God in their lives. Unfortunately many of us do the same today.

Into this situation God called Amos, a poor shepherd from Tekoa, in the desert two hours south of Bethlehem. God sent Amos to call for justice in the land and to pronounce the coming judgment of God upon them, as they would soon be carried away into captivity by an ungodly nation because of their sin and lack of repentance. In fact, in Amos 4:6-11, Amos declared five judgments of God that had already come upon them for the purpose of causing them to repent.

First, a famine (v. 6). Then, a drought (vs. 7-8). This might even sound familiar as he says, "I also withheld rain from you, when there were still three months to the harvest. I made it rain on one city, I withheld rain from another city. One part was rained upon, and where it did not rain the part withered" (v. 7). He followed that with "blight and mildew" (v. 9), and "the locust devoured" their gardens and vineyards (v. 9). Then God sent upon them both plague and warfare (v. 10). The diseases reminding them of the plagues of Egypt. Defeat in warfare at the hands of the Syrians left them destitute. Finally, God destroyed entire cities within the land, yet "like a firebrand plucked from the burning," He rescued most of Israel at the last minute (v. 11).

Despite all of this, each time Amos declares the truth, "'Yet you have not returned to Me,' says the Lord" (vs. 6, 8, 9, 10, 11). Five times God brought judgment upon them to turn them back to Himself. Five times they failed to return to the Lord their God. How long will God remain patient? In verse 12 God adds, "Therefore thus will I do to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!" He leaves the threat unnamed for them to use their wildest imaginations as to what it might be. He only warns them, "Prepare to meet your God."'

The message to us is the same. From the drought this land has been experiencing from time to time, to any number of other hard times God may allow to come into your life, the message is the same, prepare to meet your God! Stepping on others to make financial gain for ourselves, putting ourselves ahead of others and thinking only of our own desires, putting possessions, work, money, anything ahead of God is idolatrous. God says, "Forsake all those things and follow Me." The most important thing you can do is to put your faith in Christ first. Trust Christ for your salvation and follow Him in your life each day. Always put God first, and everything else will fall into place. Amen.