Monday, October 8, 2007
Amos 6:1 Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation, to whom the people of Israel come!
WOE TO THE EASY LIFE
On television we see pictures of millionaire celebrities and their fabulous mansions. They lead such extravagant lives. They can go wherever they want and do whatever they want. They seem to have it so easy. Look too at the civic officials who hold positions of great authority and power. They appear to have unlimited resources and they convince those around them to do their bidding. When we see people who have lots of money, power, or influence, we might be led to think, "They really have it easy!"
The prophet Amos, however, in addressing the leaders of Israel and Judah, did not say, "Happy are you, for your life is easy." He said, "Woe to you who are complacent in Zion." "The easy life" as the world lives it, is a life full of temptations to turn away from God. The people Amos prophesied against possessed many earthly blessings, but they abused those blessings. They used their money and authority to indulge themselves and their sinful desires.
The real "easy life" does not come from having great wealth or tremendous worldly influence, does it? The real "easy life" is ours because of what Jesus Christ has done for us. We have a life that is free even from the fear of death, for our Savior went to the cross so that we could stand forgiven and inherit wondrous treasures in heaven -- and not be side-tracked by all that glitters here on earth.
