SOAP 04/07/2016; Amos 5:3

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 1, 2; Psalm 66; 2 Corinthians 7*

S) "³ For thus says the Lord God,

'The city which goes forth a thousand strong
Will have a hundred left,
And the one which goes forth a hundred strong
Will have ten left to the house of Israel.'"

Amos 5:3 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Amos 5

O) There is almost a hesitance throughout this chapter, with God imploring Israel to return to Him. He tells them to seek Him, and not stronghold cities. He tells them to seek what is right, to stop taking bribes and perverting justice. He warns them not to seek the day of the Lord (a common term for the day God sends judgment and destruction upon the guilty), because they themselves will be the ones who are judged. God already knew what would happen, but this chapter gives us the distinct impression that He is giving the people every opportunity to repent. I certainly don't think we can take the numbers literally, but in the verse above, we see that the vast majority will be judged guilty.

A) While this prophecy was certainly fulfilled when Israel was taken into exile by Assyria, the warning carries through clearly. At the same time, this verse also conveys hope, because there was a remnant left. When I moved back to western Washington, from Redding, California, it felt like I was moving into an area devoid of authentic Christians. I mean, that wasn't true, but the emotions felt like that. In truth, though, there were plenty of serious, devoted, loving Christians. When we first joined our church, it felt surreal to worship with more than a thousand other believers on a Sunday morning. We'd leave church service, and I'd feel like there was a tidal wave of unbelievers around me. I felt like I'd plunged again into the selfish, harsh, unfaithful masses. I'm sure that there were some of those same adjectives in the church service I'd just left, too. Still, I felt isolated again (excepting my own family, of course). But, remembering that there is a remnant, that there always will be a remnant, is a comfort. It drove home the point, early in my return to WA, the importance of maintaining close relationships with other believers. In a world where ninety percent are unbelievers, it makes it all the more important for me to stay connected to the ten percent.

P) Father, thank You for the providence You showed when I moved back to Washington. It took virtually no time at all for me and my family to find our church. It didn't take much longer for us to get into a small group. Even though some of those relationships have faded, it was still such a blessing to get into the mindset of deliberate connection with other believers. Thank You for the Briels family. Thank You for the friendship that has lasted this long. Thank You for the new group we are leading, Lord. Help relationships continue to develop with our new group of families, and may some deep friendships form, that glorify You and strengthen them. May I always be found in the remnant of believers. Let me always be found in Christ. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.