JAN 30

Amos 8:11
Memorise Amos 8:11
“it is in essence turning back to God’s Word”

The prophet Amos writes about a vision from God about the Israelites. God likened them to “a basket of summer fruit”, ripe for His judgment (Amos 8:1-2). They had sinned against God in their oppression of the poor and deception in their business. They were greedy and materialistic; cheating people, especially the poor, of their money. They were worldly, covetous people who kept an appearance of false piety but actually took no delight in spiritual matters. They observed “the new moon” or special religious days and worshipped on “the Sabbath” but they secretly wished these days would be over quickly so that they could go back to their materialistic pursuits (verse 5). Though they prospered for a short while, God said that He “will never forget any of their works” and judgment was inevitable. The judgment was immense and much more severe than just physical famine of bread or water. It would be a spiritual famine where God would starve the people “of hearing the words of the LORD”. This is much more devastating than any physical punishment. Israel had the privilege of constantly receiving God’s Word through His prophets but the Israelites took them for granted and did not listen to their warnings. Indeed, after the OT period, there were 400 silent years where God did not speak directly to His people. Some people even see this judgment as being extended into the NT time where Jews rejected Christ as the Messiah.

We have God’s complete Word with us now, yet we too live in a time of spiritual famine. God reveals Himself and His Truth in His written Word but more and more Christians are tossing the Bible aside and discounting His Word. We, like the Israelites, have taken God’s Word for granted. We too have a false holiness where we look spiritual on the outside but our hearts are worldly and materialistic. That is why we must promote Reformed Theology, which is firmly rooted in the Holy Scriptures. We must turn back to God’s Word and look to it as our sole authority for faith and practice. We must study and know God’s Word more and obey it in our lives. We must have the spirit of the Reformers who were willing to hazard even their own lives for the sake of promoting God’s Truth and ensuring that no one is starved of God’s Word! Are you willing to take a stand for a 21st Century Reformation movement?

Thought: Is there spiritual famine in your life? Have you neglected God’s Word or only have very superficial understanding of His doctrines?

Prayer: Lord, in this time of spiritual famine, draw me back to Thy Word.