Once again, God gave people time. Today’s blessing comes from the Book of Amos, where two years prior to the massive earthquake, the Lord gave Amos a message to give to the people. Only this time, the message wasn’t for the people of Israel, but their neighbors. It was for the ones who’d “sinned again and again” (1:3b) by beating “down…people in Gilead” (1:3d). This time, it was for the ones who sold Israel into slavery and continued to break their treaties – yes, they would be punished. Still, there were others. Others who “chased down their relatives” (1:11d) while others used their swords to rip open even pregnant women. 

There are so many take-aways today. Give yourself the time and benefit of re-reading this so you understand more clearly that God will allow us to be who we are and either judgment or blessings will follow. It’s exactly what took place here and will continue until the Father returns. 

During this time, God allowed violent nations to overtake Israel because of the sins Israel committed. None of this could’ve happened to Israel had God not removed the hedge of protection He had around Israel. The people from Tyre, Damascus, Gaza, Edom, and Ammon were given a prophetic warning from Amos two years prior, but Israel was given 25 years. 

Time and time again, the Bible is clear on the fact that we get the opportunity to choose. We are always the others being allowed at one point or another. I’d venture to say that God gives us a right to choose every hour of every day. The Bible says as much in the 30th Chapter of the Book of Deuteronomy, verses 19-20. It’s like when we receive our driver’s license: we have a right to drive, but we now have a responsibility that we did not have while we were in the passenger’s seat, and with that comes the reality of consequences. Rarely do we want to discuss or have to face the latter. 

Today, I want to challenge you to consider what hedge(s) of protection you aren’t recognizing. Where is God covering you now and where has He covered you in the past? Then consider the years that have passed and where in there were the signs that the uncovering took place. As you look back over your life, ask God to give you discernment as to what went wrong and why. What message did He send where He gave you time to pray, but you chose to go the other route anyway? 

We must make no mistake about it, a good parent chastises the ones they love. God will always send us a messenger and a message. He will give us warnings and time before He allows the reckoning. Begin to see what your testimony could look like today and obey the voice of the Lord.

READ: Hosea 1, Amos 1, and Deuteronomy 30:10-20, New Living Translation

LISTEN: https://youtu.be/HGwtyFQrzb0?si=kPGljs0ojIXFDM0d Reverend Clay Evans, I’ve Got a Testimony