A Devotional Thought From Amos

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron:         Amos 1:3

                In the first two chapters of his prophecy Amos expresses the punishment that will be meted out to Damascus, Gaza, Tyrus, Edom, Ammon, Moab, Judah, and Israel. In each case he cites, “for three transgressions and for four.” Each of the nations to be punished where receiving their “just desserts,” and among those nations you will note were Israel and Judah, the very people of God in the Old Testament.

                Three or four sinful behaviors and actions were bringing down the wrath of God upon them as a nation state and a people. Their transgressions brought severe judgment.

                Ought not modern day nations to be aware that what they sow might be what they reap? I think so! Or, is it possible that modern day nations have so progressed that behaviors worthy of punishment are no longer to be found among them? I don’t think so!

                Let’s let the USA, the most developed and among the most “freethinking” nations in the world be an example. Can three or four societal issues that are worthy of God’s punishment be found in this society? Yes, simply yes! Here are some.

1.       Political, and even religious, leaders, diminishing biblical faith and endorsing everything but orthodox biblical truth.

2.       Political and religious leaders devaluing  the sanctity of human life to the point of more than a half million abortions committed each year.

3.       Political leaders endorsing the relaxing of laws against the illegal use of drugs, especially marijuana, so that we do not know how many drivers on America’s many highways and side roads are operating automobiles and other vehicles under the influence endangering the lives of all those who are on the road with them.

4.       Political and religious leaders virtually approving various forms of immorality and breakdown of the nuclear family.

Yes, such national sin attitudes will bring some kind of judgment. Even if God does not specifically intervene but just allows nature to take its course, these sinful behaviors are some that take a nation, any nation, down into the depths of destruction.