Key Passage: Amos 1: 2 - 4, 6 - 7, 9 - 10

"The LORD roars from Zion, and utters His voice from Jerusalem…. Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they have threshed Gilead with implements of iron. But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which shall devour the palaces of Ben-Hadad.” Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they took captive the whole captivity to deliver them up to Edom. But I will send a fire upon the wall of Gaza, which shall devour its palaces.” Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Tyre, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and did not remember the covenant of brotherhood. But I will send a fire upon the wall of Tyre, which shall devour its palaces.”

God is the Ruler of all the earth. He created all things by His power and He extends His sovereign authority to all, both to those people and nations who recognize and worship Him and to those who do not. He punishes people and nations for their evil and wickedness. He does not let the wicked to go unpunished unless they repent and turn to Him for mercy. He roared like a lion in anger against the nations who committed evil and wickedness against the people of Israel. He pronounced judgment on them because they persecuted and devastated His covenant people.

God protects and preserves His people as the apple of His eye (Deut 32:10; Zech 2:8). He makes their enemies His enemies and pours out His wrath upon those that hate and persecute them. God stirred up the kingdom of Assyria against these wicked nations and they conquered them, burnt down their cities and carried away their people into captivity.

Many Christians today are being persecuted in various families, communities and nations. Some are suffering deprivations, imprisonment and death because of their faith. These Christians are God’s people under the New Covenant and those who are persecuting them are fighting against God (2 Cor 6:15-16; Acts 9:4-5). God’s warning to the people and nations persecuting them is to repent and turn from their wicked ways or else, face the fiery wrath of The Lion from Zion.

Prayer: Pray for God’s courage, comfort and deliverance for those facing persecution for their faith in Christ Jesus. Pray the same for yourself whenever you face persecution.

 

Written by – Evangelist Oguazi Onyemobi