Woe to all of you who want God’s Judgment Day!
Why would you want to see God, want Him to come?
When God comes, it will be bad news before it’s good news,
the worst of times, not the best of times.
Here’s what it’s like: A man runs from a lion
right into the jaws of a bear.
A woman goes home after a hard day’s work
and is raped by a neighbor.
At God’s coming we face hard reality, not fantasy—
a black cloud with no silver lining.
“I can’t stand your religious meetings.
I’m fed up with your conferences and conventions.
I want nothing to do with your religion projects,
your pretentious slogans and goals.
I’m sick of your fund-raising schemes,
your public relations and image making.
I’ve had all I can take of your noisy ego-music.
When was the last time you sang to me?
Do you know what I want?
I want justice—oceans of it.
I want fairness—rivers of it.
That’s what I want. That’s all I want.” Amos 5:18-24 MSG
Do you really understand what you are asking for from God? How often do our prayers display our ignorance, selfishness, stubbornness, and pride before God? We want Him to move and work FOR US. But do we want what He wants? Do we think we are the ‘center’ of our universe? I definitely do believe the ‘day of the Lord’ is coming, and like Amos… I know it will not be a ‘happy’ occasion. The circumstances of the evil done will be devastating. God’s judgment will not be fun or pleasant in ANY WAY!
Are we caught up in our religious “conferences and conventions” – thinking we are doing all the right things? With all the slick fancy posters and banners with all the right marketing slogans? Have you seen all the fancy fundraising proposals in the richest of paper embossing passed out at the banquet dinners? Is the ministry logo more important than the hurting family or widow in your congregation? We really aren’t any different now than the people of these past times. Religion (man-made traditions, formulas, and programs) are still more important to us than our own heart relationship with Him. Are we feeding the ‘religion machine’ more than feeding the people?
What does God’s justice look like? What does God’s fairness look like? What does God’s righteousness look like? Are they what YOU think they are, or are they something different? How much humility do you have to realize His ways are NOT your ways? Do you ever ask Him to show you His ways? Have you asked Him to help you understand Him in deeper ways? Have you ever focused on what He has told you to do rather than your own agenda? Can you actually do what the ‘still small voice’ is asking of you today? Can you recognize Him?
Father… forgive us! We NEED Jesus to be at the center of EVERYTHING we do! Forgive us our narcissistic selfish mindsets, allow us to know your Will and mind for us Holy Spirit. Father … we lay it ALL down before YOU! We are NOTHING without YOU! Without YOU we have no breath or heartbeat.
Come Lord Jesus. Come Holy Spirit and speak to us. Forgive us for all our religious ways that are from our selfish hearts. Change us Lord! Help us to see what YOU see. Restore our spiritual eyes. Mend our brokenness. We need YOUR healing.
Can we wait for Him?