Prepare to Meet the Lord

Amos 4.6-13

Amos painted a bleak picture of Israel’s continued disobedience and refusal to repent. Repeatedly the Lord had shown Himself to be powerful, holy, and the righteous judge, but Israel continued on their path of wicked pursuit. Five times the Lord reminded them of their stubbornness, of His actions to draw them back to Himself, and each time they failed to return to Him. The final call: there would be undeniable judgment. Though the Lord repeatedly called them and was willing to forgive their sins, they did not listen. Instead of heeding His warnings they followed their own paths leading to destruction. Therefore, judgment was inevitable; God would declare His righteousness and power; there would be no doubt that He alone was God over all His people and all creation. “Therefore thus I will do to you, O Israel: because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”… – the LORD, the God of hosts, is his name” (Amos 4.12-13)!

Being encompassed in our busy lives, how often do we respond as the people of Israel and neglect to hear the Word of the Lord calling us to repent of sin, neglect because we want what we want or sinfully desire. The word is clear: Prepare to meet your God! A day is coming when all will stand before the Sovereign Lord of all creation; a day is coming when we will have no excuse for slothfulness or disobedience; a day is coming when our religious habits will be exposed before His true righteousness; a day is coming when we will not be able to hide or escape the eyes of the Lord. He is the LORD of hosts; He is the Almighty God. Today is the day to prepare; today, and not tomorrow, is the day to be ready for His return. For those who have never known the forgiveness of Jesus Christ, today is the day to humble yourselves before His gracious and merciful throne, to repent of sin, and seek His salvation. For those who call Him Savior, today is the day to repent of all known sin, to live in harmony with His Word, and to exalt His Name.

John wrote: And now little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. (1 John 2.28)

The God of grace delights to hear The plaintive cry, the humble prayer;
nor shall the weakest saint complain That he has sought the Lord in vain.

“Seek ye my face,” Jehovah cries; With joy the contrite heart replies,
“Thy face I seek; with power descend, From every foe my soul defend!”

A bleeding Christ is all they plead, And all that guilty sinners need;
in whose dear name their fervent cries Before the Lord like incense rise.

W. W. Horne

Forgiven, and prepared to meet the Lord – we have much to be thankful for –
Terry