Have you considered the varied reactions to the Lord’s presence in the Gospels?
For instance, shepherds celebrated the news of the Messiah’s arrival. In contrast, King Herod plotted to kill the infant Jesus.
A woman felt so blessed by Jesus’ presence that she wept joyfully at his feet. Yet, at the same event, the host was horrified by His presence and actions.
A woman, who was cast at Jesus’ feet received the directive, “I don’t condemn you. Go and sin no more.” To her accusers, Jesus said, “Let the one without sin cast the first stone.”
Depending on our relationship with God, the presence of the Lord will evoke different responses.
In Amos’ day, the people were longing for the Day of the Lord. However, their relationship with God was out of sorts, and the Day of the Lord would not be pleasurable for them, but a day of absolute horror.
Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord!
Why do you want the day of the Lord?
It is darkness, not light,
As if someone fled from a lion
and was met by a bear
or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall
and was bitten by a snake.
Is not the day of the Lord darkness, not light,
and gloom with no brightness in it? (Amos 5.18-20)
How to Be Ready
I wish I had a dollar for every time someone asked me about particular sins and whether or not if they commit them, they will go to heaven when they die.
I have learned to respond by saying, “Are you asking me how far you can get away from God and still go to heaven when you die?”
If you’re interested in being ready to meet the Lord with open arms and enjoy His presence, here are a few things you can do to prepare in advance.
(1) Strive to make your faith the cornerstone of your life. Determine that your relationship with Jesus will guide your thoughts, actions, and decisions.
Embrace God’s plan for your life and trust Him, knowing that His ways are higher than yours.
(2) Righteousness and justice are two major themes of the Old Testament prophets. Righteousness is not just about avoiding sin, but actively doing good, being a light in the world, and seeking His justice and mercy for all.
(3) It may sound morbid, but it is worthwhile to think about your death. Consider living each day as if it could be your last. Be open to God’s grace and be ready to serve as the Holy Spirit prompts you.
(4) The Holy Spirit has made me aware that I think too much about myself.
To counter this self-focused approach, I can celebrate God’s love and worship Him for His gifts. Focusing on Him is an effective way to shift my attention away from myself.
(5) Jesus demonstrated God’s heart through acts of love and service. When we engage in kindness and love, becoming sources of comfort and support for those in need, we show our love for Christ and reveal His character to others.
If someone approached me agreeing with the five points I’ve shared and asked, “How can I better live according to these principles?” I believe they would have no concerns about the coming Day of the Lord.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 