Wednesday, 29th May

READING:

Amos 6:  1-14

MEDITATION:

A question to ask ourselves:  Have I become complacent?  Have I lost all zeal for Christ?

Do I live each day as if Christ never died for me?  Do I live as if there is no such thing as grace and mercy?

Complacency is a very dangerous thing it has the ability to derail us.

Dictionary.com’s definition of complacency is:  “A feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like; self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc..”

The people Amos is speaking to have become complacent.

We have seen how Amos describes an unjust, self-indulgent social class who ignored their neighbours’ suffering and the nation’s ruin, because they are ignoring God.  The gods of the Assyrians were in their hearts long before the Assyrian army was in their streets.  These people have become a complacent people.  They are so enjoying their comforts, their self-indulgence and their religious ways, that they think they are safe from God’s judgment.  They think they are blessed by God.  But Amos says, in chapter 6 verse 1: “Woe to the complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria.”

Like them, when we focus on accumulating privilege and wealth for personal indulgence; when we ‘play church’; when we exile ourselves from our neighbours and God, we put ourselves in great danger.

For God will humble the proud.

We need to humble ourselves before our saviour, call on him to deliver us.

We need to repent of our obsession with possessions, privilege, property and position.

We need to repent from ‘playing church.’

We need to turn to our Saviour.

PRAYER:

(based on prayer from Francis Drake)

Disturb us, Lord, when

We are too pleased with ourselves,

When our dreams are not your dreams.

Disturb us, Lord, when

with the abundance of things we possess,

We have lost our thirst,

For your kingdom and righteousness.

Disturb us, Lord, to Love you with all our heart soul, mind and strength.

To love our neighbours as ourselves.

PRAYER for WEDNESDAY:

Pray for the message of Amos to sink deeply into our lives.

Pray we would allow God’s word not only to encourage us, but to disturb us.

Pray we would be humbled by God’s word.

This week we pray for those who are:

Oppressed

Homeless

Poor

Sick

Lonely

Grieving

Refugees and immigrants

Almighty and merciful God,

whose Son left the glories of heaven to come to humanity

Whose son had no place to call his own;

look with mercy on those who today are fleeing from danger,

homeless and hungry; the oppressed and the poor.

Those who are sick and lonely.

Inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.