A Strict And Loving Father
BRD REFLECTIONS:
(Liu Yanxia, MM Children Ministry IC)
READ:
Amos 9:1 I saw the Lord standing by the altar, and he said: “Strike the tops of the pillars so that the thresholds shake. Bring them down on the heads of all the people; those who are left I will kill with the sword. Not one will get away, none will escape.
Amos 9:11 “In that day I will restore David’s fallen shelter— I will repair its broken walls and restore its ruins— and will rebuild it as it used to be …”
OBSERVE:
When reading this chapter, the word “altar” first caught my eye. The altar was in the temple of God and was the center of life for the Israelites at that time. It was also the place where they came to pray for peace and blessings. At the same time, the word “judgment” also flashed into my mind, which is reflected in Amos 9:1-10 clearly showing the wrath of God.
Amos, who insisted on following God’s will, experienced hope in the ‘repair (of) its broken walls’ and ‘restoration’. He prophesied that ‘God’s people will experience a spiritual harvest,’ thus demonstrating God’s mercy and love (Amos 9:11-15).
APPLY:
The prophet Amos mentioned multiple times “This is what the Lord says” and “Thus says the Lord.” It shows that God will send different prophets to discipline and warn the people of Israel, His chosen people. (Amos 8:11) In Jeremiah 29:11, 12 the Lord says “For I know the plans I have for you …, plans to prosper you, … plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”
Does God’s well-intentioned kindness and discipline only apply to the people of Israel? No! Absolutely not! Am I not one of those rebellious sons and daughters? Am I not a believer who sins, repents and sins again and again?
I remember I was rebellious and often disobeyed my parents in my teenage years. When my father hit me with a cane, he must have felt the pain in his heart too. When I admitted my wrongdoings with tears in my eyes, my father would also touch my little red and swollen hands with tears in his eyes too.
Now that I think about it, my father’s love is firmly imprinted in my heart. But how can my father’s love be greater than the kindness of my Heavenly Father?
DO:
The book of Amos helped me to understand one spiritual law: sin will be punished and judged, and I can only receive God’s mercy through sincere repentance.
May God’s Word be a constant reminder to me that although reading the Bible, praying, giving thanks and praising Him are important, repentance and confession of my sins are essential too.
PRAY:
Loving Heavenly Father, thank you for helping me understand your intention of revival through the Book of Amos. Even though the road to follow you faithfully will be full of challenges and struggles, I believe that You will give me strength. Grant me your mercy and restore me so that I may have abundant spiritual life. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
