Topic: On the Decline [Monday May 2, 2016]
Text: Amos 2:6-16
Key Verse: “But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not” (Amos 2:12)
Every form of decay has its symptoms. For instance, dentists will tell you that when you begin to feel tooth sensitivity, or noticing some grey, brown or black spots on your teeth, or experiencing bad breath and unpleasant taste in your mouth, you have reason to worry about tooth decay. Far worse than tooth decay is moral decay such as the world is grappling with today.
It all stems from people’s resolve to rebel against and oust God from their minds. In Prophet Amos’ time, Israel was so degenerate that they grieved God. The symptoms of their decay as outlined by the prophet include less value for human dignity, cruel oppression of the poor, judicial corruption and abominable sexual perversions. The prophet reminded them of God’s grace in their deliverance from Egyptian bondage and the miraculous displacement of the Canaanites whose land the Lord caused them to occupy. To them belonged the law, the prophets and Nazarites – which were to guide them in righteousness. They revelled in sin in spite of these divine privileges.
Their rebellion earned them terrible and inescapable ruin. Much more than the vices that Prophet Amos decried in Israel are upon the world today. People abuse every God-given privilege and practice. They delight in every known evil and are indeed inventing more. Like the degenerate Israel, they are doing everything to corrupt anyone that professes godliness – by coercion, persuasion or subtly. They resist every ray of light by attempting to drown the now unpopular voice of true preachers. But, as always, this all leads nowhere but self-destruction and eternal damnation.
Despite the prevailing perversion these days, you can choose to live away from the riotous noise of the molten calf worshippers, be an incorruptible Nazarite of God, holding on to faith in Christ and living for God’s glory.
Thought for the day: The world may woo you ever but shouldn’t win you over.
Bible Reading in one Year: Judges 1-4
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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