Silence From God

Good morning!

In our latest installment of “Pastor Scott has too much sermon”, I want to point out an interesting verse in Amos.  Amos 8:11 says this:

“The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land— not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.”

Some folks have suggested that this famine of hearing the words of the Lord is suggesting that the Hebrew Scriptures were somehow banned or removed from the northern kingdom of Israel.  However, there is no historical evidence that the Scriptures were removed or destroyed.  History actually declares the opposite – any efforts to destroy God’s Word always fail miserably.

This famine is referring to the coming time when God will remove all of his prophets from Israel.  The people will no longer be able to hear the words of God because there won’t be anyone speaking on God’s behalf.  God is essentially saying in this prophecy “Since you refuse to listen to Me, a time is coming when I will stop speaking to you.”

This is a harsh judgement; there is no doubt about it.  But we must remember that God has been constantly giving the people opportunities to repent of their sin.  Amos lists a number of these occasions in his book.  But at some point He will give the people what they want – His silence in their lives.

We see this truth in the New Testament as well.  Here is what Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12:

“They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.”

Because people "refused to love the truth," God gives them over to their deception.  One of God's judgments is allowing people to have the silence they have chosen.

In our culture today, having access to the Bible is often not a problem.  Most folks in the USA, for example, can download a Bible app on their phone.  If you know of someone who would like a physical Bible and does not have one, let me know and we’ll make sure they receive one.

Listening to the Scriptures, however, is a BIG problem.  When people (inside the church and outside of the church) refuse to listen to what God is saying, He will give them the silence that they seek until they repent.

Here’s what’s happening:

1.       TONIGHT – Youth Group at 6:30 pm at the church.

2.      SUNDAY – Summer Coffee Fellowship.  Join us at 9:30 for a light snack and a cup of coffee before the service.  There are still two spots available…please see the signup sheet in the church lobby.

3.      July 27 through August 9 – Rawlinsville Camp Meeting.  Services for all ages at 10 am and 7:30 pm.  Crafts for the kids and activities for the youth every afternoon.  My family’s cabin is #13, which is right by the big tabernacle.  We’d love to host you for a day or an evening!

4.      8/7 – Youth Outdoor Movie Night hosted by Kevin and Tracy Alexander.  Dinner at 6:30 with the movie to follow at 8:30. Youth should bring a snack to share and a blanket or lawn chair.

5.      8/9 – Double Nickels

6.      8/13 – Youth Group

7.       8/23 – Worship in Woods Night at 6:30 pm.  We will be gathering in the woods for a Hymn Sing!  Please bring lawn chairs and a snack and drink to share (if possible).  More details to come.

8.      8/29 – Youth Missions Project with Good Neighbors Home Repairs.

9.      8/30 – Baptism Service at 6:30 pm at the Hoover Pond.

This Sunday we continue our look at the Minor Prophet by meeting Amos.  Amos is an unlikely prophet who is called to give an unpopular message to the northern Kingdom of Israel.  We'll discover why God hates greed and what He expects from His people when it comes to helping the less fortunate.

Stay cool,

Scott