“Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?
4 Does a lion ever roar in a thicket without first finding a victim?
Does a young lion growl in its den without first catching its prey?
5 Does a bird ever get caught in a trap that has no bait?
Does a trap spring shut when there’s nothing to catch?
6 When the ram’s horn blows a warning, shouldn’t the people be alarmed?
Does disaster come to a city unless the Lord has planned it?
7 Indeed, the Sovereign Lord never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets.” Amos 3:3-7 NLT
Awesome God, Creator,
I am that person who remembers the sermon illustrations, pictures or story, and then remembers the teaching. Your word speaks to me clearly when there are illustrations, parables and I can see what You mean. Amos paints the picture of what works and what doesn’t. They are not walking with You God because they can’t agree to keep Your Laws. And the prophets have warned them over and over again. Here is Amos speaking directly the same message once more to Israel.
His warning goes unheeded. The Bible tells us what happens next and we will witness it as we read through. It is disappointing (You give them so many opportunities), its humbling (You still keep Your promises), its frustrating. (Of course we would have listened – would we?).
Today our church is not perfect. There are things we do not agree on. There are decisions to made where we do not clearly know the way forward. Churches disagree on practices. But for me I embrace Your church where Your Son is at the centre and in fellowship with You and Your Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 4:17 tells us judgement begins with Your household God. After all we have You with us so we should know better. You told Israel they should know better. I hope the ‘church’ i.e. God’s people are listening to You for todays correction and way forward. And me of course. What are You saying today?
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 9th July 2025
Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your holy Word
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory
Teach us, Lord, full obedience
Holy reverence, true humility
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity
Cause our faith to rise, cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority
Words of pow’r that can never fail
Let their truth prevail over unbelief
Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity
And by grace, we’ll stand on Your promises
And by faith, we’ll walk as You walk with us
Speak, O Lord, ’til Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory
Lyrics: Keith Getty, Stuart Townend