Even when we are not faithful to God, He is still faithful to His word.
It’s interesting that this book started with God cursing the nations, but it ends with God blessing the nations. And when the early church was born, this was the word that they stood on in their conviction to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. Even when we are not faithful to God, He is still faithful to His word.
John 1:14: The Word became flesh – 400 years of silence and then, Jesus. It’s a lot harder to ignore the Word when it’s standing right in front of you, living the life we should have lived, dying the death we should have died in our place. Fulfilling the purpose that we could not fulfill on our own. That Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Amos said it would not be a famine of bread – and in John 6, Jesus declares that He is the Bread of Life.
Amos said it would not be a thirst for water – in John 4, Jesus reveals that He is the Living Water.
The Word became flesh and dwelled among us – as us – so that there would never again be separation between us.
Bread of Life, Living Water – He’s not just the fulfillment of our purpose, He’s also our daily provision. It’s all in Jesus. The Word became flesh and dwelled among us – as us – so that there would never again be separation between us. Weight lifted. Purpose fulfilled. We are free to love Him, worship Him, to devote our lives to Him.
Sometimes we look at the lives we’ve created by ourselves and all we can see is this gap between the life we’re living and the people we are called to be. A gap that looks a lot like 400 years of exile. Years of “doing my best” or “figuring it out” or “God was taking too long so I just did it myself.”
It’s not that our reality isn’t real. But it might be that there’s a lack of God’s presence in our reality.
So how do we bridge the gap and avoid The Silent Treatment?
First, Seek the Word. Look for Jesus. He’s not hard to find. Pursue Him. Read the Word. Listen for the Word. Be in community with others who speak the Word. Real community. Not just Sunday community. That’s a great start, but seek more.
It’s not that our reality isn’t real. But it might be that there’s a lack of God’s presence in our reality.
Part of what led the people in the book of Amos astray was that they didn’t listen to God or to His prophets. They didn’t listen to the people God had given them. We can’t seek Jesus and avoid His people. It doesn’t work that way. We have to humble ourselves, not just before God, but before other men and women of God. It’s not “figure it out for yourself” anymore – there are helpers, if we are willing to listen.
We have to seek the word, but then we have to Receive the Word. John 1:12 (NIV) says 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. Our ability to be in relationship with our God starts with us receiving the Word made flesh.
Seeking something and finding it is a great place to start. But it’s not going to do a whole lot of good if you don’t take it in and use it. When I bought my condo, I received a gift from some very fancy acquaintances. It was this lovely silver tea tray. I don’t drink tea.
How can fruit born of cultural influence last when the culture itself is forever changing?
I don’t need a silver tea tray. The thought behind it was lovely, so I received their gift. It’s in my home. Somewhere. Probably at the top of a closet, but I have no idea.
Which brings me to my last point. We seek the word, we receive the word. But if we want to avoid spiritual exile, we have to Obey the Word. Put it to use – don’t just store it at the top of a closet somewhere next to a silver tea tray and forget that you’re a disciple of Jesus.
And disciples obey despite the discomfort it may bring them. It’s not enough to simply believe that Jesus is Lord. The demons believe He’s Lord too. The question isn’t whether or not Jesus is Lord – that is an absolute truth. The question is whether or not we are living under His Lordship. And that question will be answered by whether or not we obey the Word.
That’s how the Word works in us. To better us. When we obey the Word. Not the culture. How can fruit born of cultural influence last when the culture itself is forever changing?
Do it anyway.
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