Just recently, this past Tuesday to be exact. God sent a woman to me that had fallen from grace with God as she stated, because of just talking to a married man. She felt her repentence was accepted by God, but man throught the church was less forgiving and removed her from ministry. She felt that the wrath of God was still on her because of this. I met another woman yesterday that experience getting pregnant prior to being married, yet feeling the shame of her actions, she saw the mercy of God through her and her family. Both of these situations are so common, yet so personally unique. How does God handle you? How does the wrath and mercy come down from God upon you?
Amos 4:1-12 speaks about these issues somewhat:
Sometimes it’s easy to forget that God who showers grace upon His people is the same God who warns of impending judgment and who exercises His wrath.
Amos teaches us that leaders must present God as He presents Himself: As the God of love and mercy and the God of holiness and wrath. As the Apostle Paul says in Romans 11:22, “therefore consider the goodness and severity of God.”
Can you imagine calling the women of your church or organization, “cows of Bashan”? Yet that is the very name Amos uses to address the women of Israel (Amos 4:1). The prophet speaks harsh words to His people, warning them finally to “prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” (4:12). This was no promise of a pleasant encounter, but a pronouncement of wrath on those who refused to return to and bow to the God who had faithfully guided, protected, and provided for them.
But Amos also speaks words of hope. Through the prophet, God tells the people that they can still humble themselves and return to Him and receive mercy (9:8-15).
This is the picture of God that today’s Christians and leaders must present. God’s people must see that He is a God of grace and mercy and a God of wrath and judgment. Any presentation that falls short of that standard is at best incomplete.
Dear Lord, have mercy and grace on us. We make mistakes, ones you clearly tell us not to, yet Your wrath means good. Please Lord help us to see the correction of a Father. Help us to see the love and message given even we do wrong against you. In the name of Jesus we honor Your presents and welcome Your mercy even when it is easy to hide under a rock or in a cave. In You is our strength. Amen.
