DAILY MANNA SATURDAY, APRIL 4 2020 – A FAITHFUL PROPHET

DAILY MANNA
SATURDAY, APRIL 4 2020

A FAITHFUL PROPHET
TEXT: AMOS 7:7-17.

You are strongly advised to read the text first

KEY VERSE “Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: and the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel” (AMOS 7:14,15).

Faithfulness and fearlessness are two sides of the same coin. A faithful Christian will be fearless. Prophet Amos exhibited the undeniable attribute of a faithful prophet by promptly warning the nation of God’s anger after he received three visions.

Our reading outlines the third vision that Amos received from the Lord. He saw Him standing on the wall with a plumbline (signifying measurement and judgement). After showing him the vision, God told him, “Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them anymore: And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword” (Amos 7:8,9)

The fiery message offended Amaziah, the priest of Bethel. He therefore falsely accused Amos of conspiracy against the nation and for predicting the death of King Jeroboam. He counselled Amos to “flee” to Judah and prophesy there but never again in Samaria. Amos rebuffed his counsel and stood his ground with courage. He told him that he did not become a prophet on his own. God called him to be a prophet and he had chosen to obey Him. He reiterated his earlier prophecy that the land would go into captivity and Amaziah’s wife would go into harlotry while his sons and daughters were to fall by the sword.

Like Amos, believers must not shrink from telling sinners the truth of the word of God. He was faithful and fearless in dealing with people who cared less for righteousness. Today, God also expects His children to be faithful and fearless in proclaiming the truth of the Kingdom.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY When you fear God, nothing else will make you afraid.

COVER TO COVER JOHN 13-15.

MEDITATION

No better time to examine the prophesy of the scriptures

1. Amos was called to prophesy at the last days of Israel before deportation.
   What was the message? Judgement and repentance.
   Any preacher/soul winner who emphasizes any message different from judgement and repentance to sinners in these last days cannot claim to be faithful. Only true believers need message of encouragement and comfort in the last days vv7,8, I Thes. 4:18.
2. The greatest opposition to Amos’ divinely given message was from the priest of the idol of Bethel in prophetic regalia vv10-13.
   “By their fruits you shall know them”. Any priest, no matter his title, wealth, communication skills and ministry of miracles, that is not comfortable with or emphasizing the message of repentance and divine judgement on sin must be a “priest of Bethel”. Avoid them if you want to make heaven 2 John 10,11.
3. The best way a righteous man can avoid opposition is to keep mute when evil is rampant in the land vv14,15, Matthew 10:32,33. Expect opposition if you want to please God.
4. There are heavy judgements on those who deny, deride, despise, destroy, deemphasize, damn, dampen, dare, dirty or downplay any truth of the written word of God. Carefully read vv16,17. Divine judgements vary but always severe. Repent before His judgement comes.
5. Therefore say, sing, search, seek, share, support and sacrifice for the truth in these last days and God will be glorified.
   God I hereby resolve to always speak the truth of the word of God without compromise or fear
   Lord, raise up more faithful preachers in this nation who will fear none but God alone
   Pray for full restoration of ministers in this nation that have lost their calling of bringing sinners to repentance and distracted to mundane things of this world
   Lord, let the true word of God grow and prevail in this nation like in the early church

HYMN Count me

1. When you count the ones who love the Lord,
   Count me, count me;
   When you count up those who trust His Word,
   Count me, count me.
   Chorus:
   Count me with the children of the heav’nly King;
   Count me with the servants who would service bring;
   Count me with the ransomed who His praises sing;
   Count me, count me.
   2 When you count up those who’re saved by grace,
   Count me, count me;
   Who have found in Christ a hiding place,
   Count me, count me. [Chorus]
   3 When you count up those who do the right,
   Count me, count me;
   Who are walking in the Gospel light,
   Count me, count me. [Chorus]
   4 When you count up those who forward press,
   Count me, count me;
   Who shall gain the crown of righteousness,
   Count me, count me. [Chorus]