Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Friday, June 19, 2015
Based Upon Amos 3:7
“Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, But he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7).
Believe it or not, prophecy is one of the greatest expressions of God’s love for us. I do realize that this statement may represent a paradigm shift for some, but it’s true.
Fact: Our God is all-powerful.
Fact: Our God is sovereign over all.
Fact: Our God is the creator of all things seen, unseen, and of the material origins of each.
Fact: Being the eternal God of the universe who actively keeps all that exists in order and constant motion, along with the fact that all of creation relies upon Him for life, and He has never ceased creating means that He owes puny little earthlings absolutely nothing. In fact, we actually owe everything to Him. Yet, there is nothing important concerning our existence on earth, and its relation to eternity that our God who owes us nothing, does not first reveal.
When there was a need for Immanuel to come in order to solidify our enmity against sin, God revealed it first. When there was a flood impending during Noah’s time, God revealed it first. When God had chosen to send Messiah through the seed of Abraham, God revealed it first. When the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was on the horizon, God revealed it first. When there were going to be many years of famine during the time of Joseph, God revealed it first. When 10 plagues were in position to run through Egypt, God revealed it first. I could go on. When the overthrow of various kingdoms were of eternal import for the people of God, He revealed it first. Make no mistake about it; these revelations were no mere spiritual public service announcements. They were no mere statements of fact. These revelations came so that people could get their minds right, repent, prepare, be renewed in the grace of God, etc. As I said in the beginning, prophecy is one of the greatest expressions of God’s love for us!
This reality begs the question, then: Is there a word of prophecy for us today? Well, I am so glad you asked. Scripture is full of promises that the Lord will be arriving any time now. He is preparing a place for people who are willing to submit to Him and accept His gift of salvation. The beginnings of sorrows–such as wars, tensions among nations, famines, incurable diseases, crazy weather patterns, false prophets and false Christs–spoken of in Matthew 24 are all increasing at alarming rates. World economies are crashing while we are sleeping.
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Timothy 3:1–5). “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” (1 Thessalonians 5:4–11).
Since the Lord is gracious enough to give us a heads-up on critical things concerning eternity, will you be grateful enough to pay attention?
Will you be thankful enough for His forewarnings to amend your ways and help others to turn to God, too? Among certain Christian churches it may have become cliché unfortunately, but it is true that Jesus is coming very soon, and He has given us ample insight concerning the events that will directly precede earth’s upheaval before His appearance. Let us ask God to insulate our minds against the constant barrage of news concerning famous people’s personal lives, the insane amount of crime that is occurring, and other things in our own lives, so that we can have clear eyesight to see what we must be doing as we prepare to greet Him at His coming. Don’t get tired now, friends. You think things are rough now? Uh, uh…It’s about to get real down here, and we need to be ready by God’s grace.
