Wed.’s Devo - Repent

Read: Amos 4:1-6:14; Revelation 2:18-3:6; Psalm 130:1-8; Proverbs 29:21-22 Amos spoke to Samaria, the capital of Israel calling them fat cows because the women oppressed the poor and ordered their husbands around. They would end up with hooks in their noses as they are led to exile. *** There was no repenting from them so they could keep sacrificing to idols at Bethel and Gilgal. They could keep bragging about all they gave to these false gods since they loved the attention. *** God had brought famine, drought, blight and mildew as well as other plagues. He had allowed their sons to die in battle to get their attention, but still they refused to turn back to the Lord. So, God was going to bring on them all the disasters he had promised to bring if they didn’t repent. *** God begged them not to return to their pagan altars at Bethel or the shrines at Gilgal. Those who continued to do this would be dragged off into exile. Their gods would not be able to save them. They had twisted justice and oppressed the righteous. They had stolen from the poor through taxes and unfair rent while they used the proceeds to build beautiful stone houses that they would never live in. They oppressed good people by taking bribes and deprived the poor of getting justice in the courts. God told them to hate these injustices and cry out for the oppressed. *** The day was coming when God would judge. It would be dark and hopeless for the oppressor. God would no longer tolerate their sins nor accept their forms of worship. They should go to Calneh and see what happened there and then to the city of Gath. They were destroyed and Israel was no better than them. An enemy nation was about to be sent against them by the Lord who would oppress the whole nation. *** In Revelation, a letter was given to the angel of the church in Thyatira. Thyatira represented the time of 590-1517 and was known as the papal church. It was commended for its faith, its service and its patient endurance. It was criticized for its tolerance of immorality and the spirit of Jezebel. They were told to keep the faith for they would be given the authority that Christ had on earth to rule the nations. *** The church at Sardis ruled from 1517-1790 and was the reformed church. It had a reputation of being alive but it was dead. It was told to go back to the basics of their beliefs and repent. Those that remained faithful would be given robes of white and their names would never be erased from the Book of Life. *** Lord, may we stay faithful to You and use the authority you have given us to rule the nations. May our hearts be cleansed and our spiritual eyes open to see what you want us to see. May we be quick to repent.