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In all seasons of life, but especially at this time, we need to hear the voice of the Lord. All other voices will fail to provide the intimate instructions we need to navigate into an uncertain future.
The Lord spoke these words through the prophet Amos, “Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?” (Amos 3:3). This is not about a personal choice of direction we are free to make without outside input. It is the direction offered by the Lord. It is impossible to move forward based on the diverse options of personal opinion coming our way. That choice will always produce chaos.
In Amos, the Lord asks specific questions of His people. He asks about becoming a victim, being caught in a trap, and hearing a warning about a future disaster but failing to respond correctly. Then the Lord offers a concluding statement about the voices we need to hear, “Indeed, the Sovereign Lord never does anything until he reveals his plan to his servants the prophets” (vs. 7).
We are awash in voices declaring the way forward. Instead of searching for another voice to add to the arsenal of affirming voices, we need to hear the prophetic voice of God. Typically, those voices will be mocked and demeaned when they first appear and speak of God’s alternative. Do not let the thunderous sound of those voices deafen your ears to God’s truth or weaken your response to that truth. In the end, God will always prove Himself true to what He speaks.
In the book of Amos, the text repeats these words “This what the Lord says:” Following that attention-grabbing phrase God, the Lord instructs His people. The Lord is speaking to us at this moment in our history. This is what the Lord is saying, let those with ears to hear come to attention under the prophetic announcements the Lord is making through His prophets. Those words will faithfully lead us into all matters of truth about the issues we are currently struggling to understand.
Garris Elkins
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