Meeting God
My day wasn’t as busy as yesterday, which was good. I’m not sure how many “regular” work days I can put together. I will probably find out. But today still had enough activity. After my morning conference call and some work outside, I attended a Rotary meeting in Windsor where one of our LEAP Steering Committee members made a presentation. I then had a quick stop by Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital for some follow up from my meeting yesterday and then home for a short time before a mid-afternoon dentist appointment.
I have to admit the I was fairly fatigued by the time I got home. So, I needed a nap before returning to some of my outside work.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “So this is what I will do to you, Israel; because I will do this to you, get ready to meet your God, Israel.” He is the one who makes the mountains and creates the wind and makes his thoughts known to people. He changes the dawn into darkness and walks over the mountains of the earth. His name is the Lord God All-Powerful.” Amos 4:12,13 NCV
As I read Amos chapter 4, I thought of those people that I know who are are fun loving, outgoing and friends with “everybody.” But at the same time when they need to hold someone accountable they will not hesitate to do so.
When we consider and view the character and actions of God, we can be thankful that He is a God of grace, mercy and loving kindness. But that doesn’t mean He never holds people and nations accountable. Israel had ignored the Lord for so long they felt that He really didn’t matter in their lives. The prophet gives a litany of ways the Lord was try to get their attention.
“I did not give you any food in your cities…I held back the rain from you three months before harvest time…Rain fell on one field, but another field got none and dried up...I made your crops die from disease and mildew.…“I sent disasters against you, as I did to Egypt.…I killed your youn8g men with swords, and your horses were taken from you...“I destroyed some of you as I destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.” (Amos 4:6-11 NCV)
Four times as these signs and judgments are listed we find the words, “yet you did not come back to me.” As a result, we see the Lord saying, “prepare to meet your God…” As they do they will find that the Lord God is the God of the universe. Israel worshiped false gods and the stars of heaven and turned their backs on the all powerful God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob the maker of heaven and earth.
An interesting parallel is found in Revelation. We see various “end time” tribulation judgments and events taking place in the natural world. The reoccurring response is “…and yet they did not repent….” (Rev. 9:21; 16:9,11)
Then we find a description of this event, “Then I saw heaven opened, and there before me was a white horse. The rider on the horse is called Faithful and True, and he is right when he judges and makes war….He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God...Out of the rider’s mouth comes a sharp sword that he will use to defeat the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron.“ (Rev. 19:11-15 NCV)
Even those who have ignored, denied and refused to acknowledge and turn to the Lord will find themselves “meeting God” in all of His glory. This is the time when Paul’s words in Philippians will come to pass, “…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10,11 NKJV)
Yet for those who acknowledge and place their faith and trust in the Lord “meeting God” is a time of rejoicing, celebration and “faith becoming sight.” They are the ones who say, “even so come quickly Lord Jesus.” They are the ones who anticipate the Lord’s words, “…well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord…” They are the ones who anticipate meeting the Lord and hold to the promise, “The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. And those who have died believing in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive will be gathered up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 NCV)
Fear about being confronted by God’s judgment or wrath against sin and rebellion does not need to be a part of your life. When with an open heart a person responds to the Lord in relationship and experiences life in Christ, “meeting God” is turned from fear or dread to hope and anticipation.