Amos 3:7 – God Reveals Himself To Us
Amos 3:7 – Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.
Amos contains a wonderful reminder about the God we serve. And that is the simple truth that He reveals Himself to us.
God is transcendent. This is a theological word which means that He is far above us and very different from us. God exists outside of our realm. He exists outside of space and time. He is infinite. Our Lord is both all-powerful and incomprehensible.
Many philosophers have tried to contemplate on the mysteries of God and the universe. The Greek philosophers gathered together and debated ideas. Some mystics have preferred isolation in monasteries, caves, or the wilderness. The founder of Buddhism meditated under a tree.
But because God is transcendent people, the created, can never comprehend God, the Creator, on our own. Our limited, corrupted, and faulty minds cannot fathom who God or what His plans are unless He chooses to reveal Himself to us.
Isaiah 55:8-9 – For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways.
The good news is that God does not want us to be in the dark. Amos tells us that He has chosen to reveal Himself to us, including His plans.
God wants to have a relationship with us. He wants us to know His ways. So He guides us, telling us everything we need to know. God is light, shining clarity on your path while giving purpose and direction.
Throughout history God has communicated His important plans to His people before bringing them to pass. God told Abraham that his descendants would be oppressed in a foreign land (Egypt) for 400 years and it happened. From the burning bush, the great I AM told Moses that He was going to bring His people out of Egypt after many plagues of judgment executed upon Pharaoh. He communicated with Joshua about what to expect in the Promised Land including the parting of the Jordan River and the fall of Jericho. The Spirit revealed to Samuel that Saul was going to be king before Samuel had met him. And again, God revealed to Samuel that David would be the next king. Through the prophets Solomon and his son Rehoboam were warned that the kingdom would be torn away from them because of their sins and it was.
Over and over prophets warned the Israelites that God was going to judge them by using other nations including Babylon and Assyria. Jeremiah prophesied about the 70 year captivity and it came to pass. Both the exile and the return to Jerusalem were revealed by God ahead of time.
Most of all, throughout the Old Testament God reveals that He was going to send a Messiah to save His people from their sins. And Jesus came fulfilling this.
And God still tells us what He is going to do in the last days in the book of Revelation and in other prophesies.
We should take a few moments and thank God for His revelation. Through general revelation we can see God’s power and order. And through specific revelation we can know Him and His will personally.
How does God speak to us today?
Hebrews 1:1-2 – In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
God speaks in many times and in many ways. Before He spoke primarily through the prophets. These prophets led God’s people so that they would know the truth and therefore know how to act. Now God speaks to us primarily through His Son, who is revealed to us in the word.
John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Jesus is God’s Word made flesh. He Himself is God’s message to us. That is why the phrase “WWJD” (What Would Jesus Do) is so powerful. Jesus shows us a model of how to act in many different situations.
God also speaks to us through the Bible, through counsel, through His Spirit, and when we pray.
We do not have to be in the dark anymore. We do not have to be a blind person following the blind. And make no mistake most world leaders, teachers, celebrities, and influencers are blind.
2 Corinthians 4:4 – The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
By God’s grace if we follow Jesus our eyes have been opened by His light. He gives us discernment to distinguish truth from error while recognized Satan’s deceit.
So what is our job then?
Our job is first to listen. We need to tune out the noise. We need to stop following people who have been blinded and instead follow the light. That means we come back to word and keep asking the simple questions, “what does the Bible say?” and “what would Jesus do?”
God has revealed His will. He tells us what we need to know. For our part, we need to seek it out. That means diligent study of the word combined with prayer for continued enlightenment.
He reveals a plan because He expects a certain action from us. Sometimes that is faith like the Exodus. Sometimes it is an act of boldness like entering the promised land. Sometimes it is an act of obedience, even doing something we may not be comfortable with, like walking around Jericho.
God reveals His plan because He wants us to take part in it as willing participants, obedient and cooperative. We know He has a good plan for us, plans for welfare and not for destruction. We must ask Him to show us this plan and listen with attentive hearts.
So do not make decisions with your own intelligence and logic. Seek His direction. Seek His direction for your family, for your career, for your studies, for your relationships, and for all decisions big and small.
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