Amos 4

"I also withheld rain from you… Yet you have not returned to Me," Says the LORD" (v7)

 

Five times God tells of trials and tribulations He has laid upon His people and then laments…"Yet you have not returned to Me."  We often see the loaves and the fishes as a reflection of God's grace and His goodness, and they are.  However we many times do not consider that "God also hath sat the one over against the other" (Eccl 7:14)

 

Isaiah 26:9b says, "... for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." and remember Hosea 5:15b "...in their affliction they will seek me early."  Sometimes our trials are a reflection of God's goodness and mercy because they bring us back to Him.

 

When the Israelites went into captivity in Egypt they were nomadic herdsman and farmers.  However when they came out of bondage they had "such things as they required." It was in the years of captivity they acquired the skills and trades a nation required.

 

If the rain has been withheld from you, or there is mildew in your garden, or you don't have any bread to eat, consider you might be in the middle of the goodness and grace of our Lord – return to Him.

 

Jason Ouellette

Go Fish

When those who are called to fish don't fish, they fight.

 

When energy intended to be used outside is used inside, the result is explosive.  Instead of casting nets, we cast stones.  Instead of extending helping hands, we point accusing fingers.  Instead of being fishers of the lost, we become critics of the saved.  Rather than helping the hurting, we hurt the helpers.

 

The result?  Church Scrooges.  "Bah humbug" spirituality.  Beady eyes searching for warts on others while ignoring the warts on their nose below.  Crooked fingers that bypass strenths and point out weaknesses.

 

Split churches.  Poor testimonies, Broken hearts. Legalistic wars.

 

And sadly, poor go unfed, confused go uncounseled, and lost go unreached.

 

When those who are called to fish don't fish, they fight.

 

But note the other side of the boat:  When those who are called to fish, fish - they flourish!

 

Nothing handles a case of gripes like an afternoon service project.  Nothing restores perspective better than a visit to a hospital ward.  Nothing unites soldiers better than a common task or a relentless foe.

 

Leave soldiers inside their barracks with no time on the front line and see what happens to their attitude.  The soldiers will invent things to complain about.  Bunks will be too hard.  Food wil be too cold.  Leadership will be too tough.  The company will be too stale.  Yet place those same soldiers in the trench and let them duck a few bullets, and what was a boring barrack will seem like a haven.  The beds will feel great.  The food will be almost ideal.  The leadership will be courageous.  The company will be exciting.

 

When those who are called to fish, fish - they flourish.  Go fish!

 

Hosea 13

The equivalent of this chapter seems similar to the parable of the prodigal son. The writing here seems to be something the father would be writing as he sits everyday on the front porch waiting for the son to come home.

If there was such a letter, it possibly went something like this:

Son,

I have been with you every breath of your life. (vs 4) I have seen you when you rejoiced and comforted you in dark times. (vs 5) I was the one who saw you through every stumble, mistake and heartache. When you didn't know I was watching, I was watching. When you didn't think I cared or loved you, I've never stopped.

But now, you have seen yourself great; you have believed in yourself more than the hands that have put in you the ability to be great. (vs 6) I knew before you left there was nothing but desolation waiting for you beyond the boundaries I have set for you. In your wanderings you have destroyed yourself. (vs 9) There is no way you can survive there so I know you will not be there long. (vs 13) The consequences of your actions are mighty, there is no denying that. (vs15)

I sit here each passing second, longing to hold you in my arms. Longing to forgive you and bring you back into safety. I am daily, desiring your return; as I am the only one who can save you. (vs 9-10)

Love,
Dad

Men, have we ever kindled the anger of God because of our waywardness? Have we ever looked up and found ourselves in a state we thought was too far gone? Replace your name in the letter above where addressed to 'son' and read it again.

Regardless if this letter is for us in our current state, we can all, always cling to verses 4 and 9: 4"Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me."  9"O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help."

Tim Jacobs