The Israelites anticipated a day when God would finally destroy evil doers on the earth. In their longing for this day to come, however, they overlooked one important thing. They had made themselves part of the evil company that God was coming to judge. They were no better than any of the nations that they were inclined to look down upon and wish judgement upon. How could they not recognise this? How could they go on worshipping at the temple and longing for the ‘Day of the LORD’ (judgement day) to come while all along living as waywardly as everyone else? The answer is: easily. Doing this is the easiest thing in the world. I am always amazed by my slowness to recognise when I fall away from God and fall into selfish living. When it finally gets through to me, even then it feels like the message is cloudy and muffled as though something were trying to choke it. I have made it a habit, therefore, whenever I sense that something is wrong in me, to ask God to turn up the lights on the problem. It is a difficult experience at first and I naturally tend to squint and shield myself as the first light comes on the problem. But gradually, as I open my eyes and lower my defences, I can face the truth. It is when I stand facing the hard truth about myself that I begin to feel free. I never feel condemned in the light of this self-revelation. For in this same light I also see, and keenly feel, the grace of God given to me in Jesus Christ.
Will you open your heart to what God wants to say to you today? Will you trust in his grace?
Read Amos 5:18-6:14
