The time has come to turn to God and reassert our trust in Him for the healing of America – our country is in need of and ready for a spiritual renewal.
Ronald Reagan
In construction, when they build structural walls, the most important criteria to check is if the wall is plumb. Thus, every carpenter must have a level and a plumb-line, beside other essential for his trade tools.
Even if the wall looks plumb carpenter cannot rely on his sight. Instead, to be sure that the wall is plumb, he must check it using that special tool.
Although, if carpenter will neglect that rule, and used his ‘subjective’ senses instead of ‘objective’ tools, there will be consequences to that.
When the inspector will come, he will check the wall and if it does not meet the standards, he will ask destroy deficient wall and to build a new one according to the drawings, building code and other standards.
The Wall and God’s Law
In like manner, Christianity has its building code and plumb line to check the walls they are building. But instead of wood, brick, mortar, and steel, our walls comprise wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and the fear of the Lord.
Our heavenly Father is the Builder of this Universe. God gave us a perfect Building Code and Level to check our spiritual walls. These are the Bible and God’s Law.
Unfortunately, many believers neglecting to use either of them as authoritative tools. Most of the time, even Christians rely on their own understanding and moral standards. Thus, using their poor sight, they are building corrupt and weak walls.
“There is no new thing under the sun.” – (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Little over 2700 years ago Israelites build their society in like manner. Despising God’s Law and His authority, they worshiped idols and adopted a depraved lifestyle of pagans. Thus, invoked on themselves God’s wrath and then suffered total destruction.
Bible Reading
Today’s devotional reading is from the Book of Amos 7-9 and Revelation 8. Please, read the devotional on Amos 4-6 & Revelation 7.
A Vision of Imminent Judgement
This is the last section of the Book of Amos. Here God revealed to Amos three pictures which signified Israel’s inescapable Judgement (Amos 7:1-9). During the first two pictures, God relented of His wrath because of Amos’ supplication. But in the third picture, Amos was silent, because he knew that Israel is too far gone to escape Great Judgement.
Further, the priest of Bethel, Amaziah, opposed Amos to his warnings (Amos 7:10-17). In this manner, Amaziah proved that the priesthood of Israel was corrupt and gone far from the ‘plumb line’ which is Torah (the five Books of Moses).
Next, in the Chapter 8 verse 1 through 14, Amos described horrifying end of the nation of Israel.
Destruction and Restoration
The last Chapter of the Book of Amos consists of two parts. The first part (Amos 9:1-10) shows God’s ultimate authority over all His creation and inescapability of His Judgement over it, whether it is in the hell, or in the heaven.
In the second part (Amos 9:11-15), God gave His promise of Israel’s restoration as a nation. Thus, God showed that the purpose of His Judgement is never destruction, it is always restoration.
Reflection
This is the time for your journaling. Reflect on these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit to test your faith and your walk with Christ.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? — 2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV
- How do you build your spiritual wall?
- How often do you check if the wall you are building is plumb? And what tools do you use for that?
- Why do you think God brough destruction on Israel?
- Why do you think God restored them back?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, You are the ultimate lawgiver and judge. God, also You are loving and merciful Father.
We thank You, Lord God, for Your Word that You gave us, so we can have a deeper relationship with You. Thank You, Lord Jesus, that you died on the cross and rose from the dead fulfilling the law that our God gave us. On that day we died with You, Lord Jesus, and through the resurrected You restored us to live with You forever.
We pray, God, that Your Word and Your Law, even through the Holy Spirit, will have dominion over all creation forever and ever.
In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, Amen.
