Amos 7, 1 Thessalonians 4

Amos 7

Matthew Henry’s words on Amos 7: “God bears long, but he will not bear always with a provoking people. The remembrance of the mercies we formerly received, like the produce of the earth of the former growth, should make us submissive to the will of God, when we meet with disappointments in the latter growth. The Lord has many ways of humbling a sinful nation. Whatever trouble we are under, we should be most earnest with God for the forgiveness of sin. Sin will soon make a great people small.”

Fellas, what amazes me this morning is that even in God’s judgment and humility of the nation of Israel, God still calls them “my people” (vs.8). What a reminder of the depths of God’s love for us, His commitment to us, His love in his discipline, and His desire for us to walk in relationship with Him. Thank you, Lord, that you are the same yesterday, today, and forever.

1 Thessalonians 4

In verse one, Paul says, “Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God.”

This is such a simple statement of truth that is so easily overlooked and so hard to actually do. So many things flood my mind throughout each day to be approved by man. Whether that is just my nature (as man) or my nurture (growing up with a dad who rarely offered approval) it’s a struggle.

And yet God literally gives us permission, to please him alone. And in that, men will be won over. It’s amazing the reality that it’s our half-hearted seeking of God’s approval that sends the mixed-signal to mankind. We, with our simple minds, feel that it’s the half of us submitting to God that turns man away. In reality, it’s the half of ourselves that we withhold that gives the impure image of a Holy God to a lost and dying world.

Wholeheartedness. That’s what God desires. To give the God of the Universe all of ourselves is the most sensible and simple thing we can do. Let there be no question.