Read through Amos 4-6.
“Yet you have not returned to Me.”
“Therefore… I will do this…”
(Chapter 4)
Over and over God pleads with the Israelites. He reminds them of all the things He has done, all the ways He has provided for them and saved them.
What has God done for you? How has He provided for you? How has He saved you? Take a minute to write some of those things down.
All of those things He has done yet we don’t surrender our all. Read through Amos 4, God talks about all the things He did to bring correction to Israel and “they were not satisfied, you have not returned to Me.” He is faithful to draw us near to Him. But will we be faithful and surrender in complete obedience to Him?
Amos chapter 5 says over and over “Seek Me and live.” He tells us exactly what to do:
“Seek good and not evil, that you may live; so the Lord God of hosts will be with you, as you have spoken. Hate evil, love good; establish justice in the gate. It may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.” Amos 5:14-15
I want to surrender to the Lord in complete obedience to Him. Not because it’s what is expected, not because someone else told me to, but because He is worthy of my everything and I surrender to Him. I don’t want to do religious activities because it’s a habit, I want to do it out of obedience and offering to the Lord.
“I hate, I despise your feast days, and I do not savor your sacred assemblies. Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them, nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs, for I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments.” Amos 5:21-23
Why do we do the things we do? Why do we work, serve, minister, sing, worship, pray, give, show up? Is it because it’s what is expected or is it out of a heart of obedience to the Lord?
Lately there have been a lot of seemingly difficult or challenging words that I’ve wanted to share. I kept them in for a long time but I just think we are getting to a place where God wants all of us, more of us, complete surrender. We need to know why we do the things we do, we need to be able to defend what we believe and we need to be able to cultivate our relationship, grow, and be in the presence of God whether we are in a service on Sunday morning or alone in a time of trouble.
I challenge you to get alone with God. Get in the Word more, set aside time to pray. Not out of religious obligation or to check a box off a list. But because He is worthy, He is our provider, He is our healer, He is just, He is King of kings and Lord of lords.