Main Verse: Amos 3

Good morning!

            The Prophet Amos wrote the of Amos between 760 and 750 BC during the reign of King Jeroboam of Israel and King Uzziah of Judah. The fall of Jerusalem was in the infant stages. By the time Josiah ascended the throne of Judah around 648 BC, the Lord sealed Jerusalem’s fate (2 Kings verse). After King Josia read the book of the law said, “The Lord is beyond angry with Israel.” King Josiah, know how close Irael’s demise was, had two choices, change Israel’s moral compass or, allow the Lord’s decree to go unabated. The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and enslaved the Israelites around 586 BC. When Jesus was born sometime around 4 BC, Israel was again on the cusp of destruction. Jesus, like Josiah, had two choices each choice had consequences just as each choice drew support from the people but only once choice would please the Father (Matthew 7:13-14). Jesus, unlike King Josiah, was not an earthly king and the nation was not under orders to obey Jesus (John 18:33-38). Yet Jesus, knowing the price he would pay, Jesus followed the narrow path even if he had to stand alone (Matthew 26:31-35).

            In America today, we stand on the cusp of destruction because of the choices the nation has made. While it is easy to believe, “Let God do His worst because I won’t be here.”, we deprive ourselves all that God has in mind for us (1 Corinthians 2:6-13). I encourage you today considering Christ’s sacrifice for your sins; to order your life upright and use the time given to honor the Lord by your choices (Psalms 119:129-136, Proverbs 3:1-10). My greatest encouragement for you today is also, “set your eyes on the Lord, never lose sight of him, let Him be your fear and dread” because there will be dark days ahead and filled to the brim with trouble” (Isaiah 8:12-15).

I.H.S.

MK