Amos prophesies of the downfall of Israel here, but how well it applies to our day. And why do we not find it? The answer is found in Matthew ch 13:11- 13 The disciples had just asked Christ why he spake in parables. "He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of he kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given." What is this some kind of secret club? Not really. Let's read the next verse."For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath."
So what is it that we must have in order that we shall be given - even an abundance? It is faith - a tiny seed of faith that we might believe. Now if we allow that tiny mustard seed to grow we will tend it and nurture it we will be given more.
But if we say this seed is too small. I have been taught that since my youth, I've heard that before and look at me now. Would a loving God abandon me and let all these bad things happen to me? I'll loose all my friends, my girlfriend, or boyfriend if I follow that. Your asking me to change my lifestyle, my friends. I won't be cool anymore.
So don't go letting it all go to your head because you chose to follow Christ. Remember that Lucifer was a son of the Morning, one of the elite, and he fell.Heaven wept over him, but it was his choice and all the promises were taken from him. He began to loose the knowledge that he had. So when he saw Adam in the Garden of Eden he went down and tried to cause trouble. He forgot that was God's plan all along.
I saw this forgetfulness happen to Edward as he sank into depression after our son died at the age of twenty-eight. It happened to me as well after Edward died. So much, so much I forgot. Every day I make the decision to nurture and build upon that which I have been given that when the Lord comes I will hear his voice. My eyes will be open and I will see his face and know him even as he knows me.
4 comments:
Thanks for the reminder about the forgetfulness being part of the taking away. That's not something we probably consider in general as part of that promise, but you're right. I've seen it happen too. Not always during the rough times either. In fact, a lot of times I find I turn to my faith more when times are rough. It's when things are going well that I slack.
Like the Brother of Jared. What an amazing spiritual example. He saw God! Yet the Lord still took him to task for 3 hours at the end of 4 years because the Brother of Jared forgot to call on God. That always stunned me. How could he forget to call on God? Especially for 4 years!? But as an adult, I'm ashamed to say that there have been times I've realized that I've allowed myself to be too distracted and days will go by without seeking out the Lord.
That is definitely part of the forgetfulness. Not only forgetting our beliefs and what we were once taught, be forgetting to even think on Jesus.
Great post.
Thank You April. I love what you said about the Brother of Jared. I've thought what that would be like to be chastised for three hours by anyone much less the Lord.
I have too! I never liked the occasional lecture I got as a kid when I disappointed my parents, but those would be so minor in comparison! For me though, the lectures always stung most because I knew who I had disappointed and it hurt to know that it was someone I loved. It wasn't so much about how long I had to sit and listen to them.
I think that's probably how it would be in some ways with God. No, I wouldn't want a 3 hour lecture from anyone! lol, but I especially know that hearing it come from my Savior who loves me and gives me so much, that would be the hardest part. Thank goodness at the end of the Lecturing lesson we have the chance to repent and have it all wiped away to a clean slate. Our Heavenly Father is so good to us. :)
So true.
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