PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Amos 3-4
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“When disaster comes to a city, has not the Lord caused it?” (Amos 3:6)
Is there a sense where this statement is true, and yet not true?
As the Creator, the Lord designs the conditions in which we live.
That includes natural law and human freedom – both caused by the Lord.
But while these operate under his permission, he does not control every action.
Human freedom is something that the Lord designed, and consents to.
Human failure is not caused by the Lord, yet the Lord is still in charge.
And the consequences of human failure are natural, not God-imposed.
The Lord in grace intervenes, choosing to aid sinful humans in gracious love.
But if the Lord withdraws his aid, he does not cause the bad things that result.
Humans are the cause of disaster; the Lord relents to our freedom if we so choose.
He uses our freedom to warn us, teach us, show us our need for him.
He also uses our freedom to overcome sin; our crucifying Jesus becomes his victory!
Because the Lord has chosen us, he uses our good and bad choices to bring us closer.
This includes disaster, which we cause but the Lord allows, to bring us to our senses.
PRAYER
Lord, the mess and the misery in our world only goes to show how much we need you, and how you want to help us. Sin is the cause of my struggle… you are the cause of my hope!
“the horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground.” The horns of the altar where a place of mercy i.e., Adonijah fearing for his life knowing that King Solomon might kill him fled to the altar and clung to the horns. So when the prophet says that God is cutting off the horns – God’s mercy has reached its limits and the people are cut off – punishment is coming and God says: “prepare to meet your God.” Holy Spirit help me stay away from sin and address temptation head on – that I may be more wholly devoted to you! I know sometimes struggles can happen to me – let it serve to remind me that I need you!
yet you have not returned to me, declares the Lord – is the refrain. The people have gone their own way. Amid the troubles and disasters the people still did not return to the Lord but continued their sinful ways. We also see that these days. The people are doing what seems right in their own eyes and have left His way – the Way of life eternal. The way it is supposed to be – to serve the living God.
Not my way but His will be done.
O Jesus, I have promised
To serve thee to the end;
Be thou forever near me,
My Master and my friend;
I shall not fear the battle
If thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If thou wilt be my guide.