June 9 “Have You Forgotten Something?” (Prepare to Meet Your God) Amos 4:12
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Therefore thus will I do to you, O Israel; Because I will do this to you, Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” (Amos 4:12)
The prophet Amos is preaching to Israel one of the most dynamic messages that has ever been preached. Israel had been greatly blessed by God, but in spite of all of the blessings that should have motivated them, out of a heart of love, to serve God, they didn’t! His goodness could not persuade them to serve Him. He then allowed pestilences to come to them; wars came and their young men were killed, but still Israel would not return to the Living God who loved her dearly! And now, He sends Amos to them with a message. “…Prepare to meet your God, O Israel.” When we will not let the goodness of God lead us to repentance, and when we will not let life’s trials lead us to Him, there is only one thing left—the message… “PREPARE TO MEET YOUR GOD!” What does the word “Prepare” (or to make ready) mean to us as God’s people today? Amos said, “Prepare” thyself. “Prepare” is a common word that is used in many situations. The Boy Scout motto is to “BE PREPARED.” The US Army wouldn’t think of sending young people into battle without having prepared them to face the enemy. Schools and Colleges try to prepare young people to become productive citizens. So, preparation, as we know it to be, is an important factor of our lives, but Amos is talking about the most important preparation that a person should make---that of being ready to meet your God! Amazingly, we prepare ourselves for almost everything, except to meet God. There is a God, whether we acknowledge Him or not. So many go through life preparing themselves for any number of things and ignore God. So, why is it important to prepare to meet our God? Have you ever been to a party that you thought was to be “casual” dress only to arrive and discover that it was “formal dress?” Yes, I have, and I felt foolish walking around in jeans while everyone else was wearing dress attire. Can you imagine just how you would feel if you fail to prepare to meet God and that day comes (and it will) that you stand before Him, fully and completely, unprepared? Preparation makes us available for His service and for worship. You see, unprepared people can’t serve God, they, by nature are serving Satan. Preparation enables us to worship God, out of a heart of Love, and to serve Him in the same manner. Preparation to meet our God makes us ready for Death. Many are living, each day, with a fear of Death. They try all kinds of things to things to calm their fears. The answer to this fear is found in the words of Amos: “PREPARE TO MEET YOUR GOD!” I do not fear Death because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am prepared to meet my God. Henry Van Dyke said it this way, in one of his poems: “So let the way wind up the hill or down, O’re rough or smooth, the journey will be joy; still seeking what I sought when but a boy, new friendship, high adventure, and a crown, I shall grow old, but never lose Life’s zest, because the road’s last turn will be the best!” For we, who are prepared, the best is yet to come! Death is only the door that opens into the Kingdom of Heaven. Preparation makes us ready for Death and the glory of Heaven! I want to say, with the Apostle Paul, at the close of my life, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith!” We may have prepared for this life with financial plans and retirement plans and physical goals, yet, if we have failed to plan for eternity, we have truly failed! Please pay attention to Amos’s words and put them into action! “PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD!” What God does with you, depends upon what you do! It Always has, It Always will!! To God Be the Glory! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…Remember, THE BEST IS YET TO BE!