A Sieving of the Earth

Amos 7:1-17(NLT)

A VISION OF LOCUSTS

1 The Sovereign Lord showed me a vision. I saw him preparing to send a vast swarm of locusts over the land. This was after the king's share had been harvested from the fields and as the main crop was coming up.

2 In my vision the locusts ate every green plant in sight. Then I said, "O Sovereign Lord, please forgive us or we will not survive, for Israel is so small."

3 So the Lord relented from this plan. "I will not do it," he said.

A VISION OF FIRE

4 Then the Sovereign Lord showed me another vision. I saw him preparing to punish his people with a great fire. The fire had burned up the depths of the sea and was devouring the entire land.

5 Then I said, "O Sovereign Lord, please stop or we will not survive, for Israel is so small".

6 Then the Lord relented from this plan, too. " I will not do that either," said the Sovereign Lord.

A VISION OF A PLUMB LINE

7 Then he showed me another vision. I saw the Lord standing beside a wall that had been built with a plumb line. He was using a plumb line to see if it was still straight.

8 And the Lord said to me, "Amos, what do you see?" I answered "A plumb line". And the Lord replied, " I will test my people with this plumb line. I will no longer ignore all their sins.

9 The pagan shrines of your ancestors will be ruined, and the temples of Israel will be destroyed; I will bring the dynasty of King Jeroboam to a sudden end."

AMOS AND AMAZIAH

10 Then Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent a message to Jeroboam, King of Israel: "Amos is hatching a plot against you right here on your doorstep! What he is saying is intolerable.

11 He is saying, 'Jeroboam will soon be killed, and the people of Israel will be sent away in exile."

12 Then Amaziah sent orders to Amos: "Get out of here, you prophet! Go on back to the land of Judah, and earn your living by prophesying there!

13 Don't bother us with your prophecies here in Bethel. This the Kings sanctuary and the national place of worship! "

14 But Amos replied, "I'm not professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one. I'm just a shepherd, and I tend sycamore-fig trees.

15 But the Lord called me away from my flock and told me 'Go and prophesy to my people in Israel.'

16 Now then, listen to this message from the Lord: "You say, " Don't prophesy against Israel. Stop preaching against my people.'

17 But this is what the Lord says: 'Your wife will become a prostitute in this city, and your sons and daughters will be killed. Your land will be divided up, and you yourself will die in a foreign land. And the people of Israel will certainly become captives in exile, far from their home land."

Today my message is the Lord is sieving the earth. He comes to test His people, He comes to shake the foundations of the earth, the systems of the world and individual men. He sees all that is being done. This is a call to repentance. A warning about what has been set in motion.

A PROMISE OF RESTORATION

Amos 9:11(NLT)

11 In that day I will restore the fallen house of David, I will repair its damaged walls. From the ruins I will rebuild it and restore it to its former glory.

(Amos 9:11-15 - speaks of the full promise)

If you want to be on a firm foundation in the Lord, pray with me:

Dear Lord, we repent of our sins and pride. We ask for your mercy and grace. Fill us with your spirit. We receive your Son Jesus as our Redeemer and Lord. Teach us your ways, so we can abide by them through your strength. Thank you for welcoming us into your family Lord. Teach us to honour and love you well. Amen!

We love You Father! Thank you! Holy is your Name Yahweh!

Go tell your family and friends of the goodness of the Lord! His saving Grace abounds!