Bible Reading: Amos 4-6; Revelation 6.
Memory Verse: “Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.” Amos 5:23 (KJV)
Several years ago, there was a rich man in one of our parishes where there was palpable poverty. The church then had an old speaker that was managing to produce sound and then the rich man bought a new loud speaker for the church and the Pastor was glad to receive this gift. However, just about when he was to take delivery, God spoke to him not to accept the offering and he passed the message to the rich man. The Pastor said when the man was told of his gift’s rejection, he was so sad that he kept knocking his head against one of the pillars of the church weeping and saying he knew that God had finally rejected him. The grief was so much. I pray that God will not reject you or your offerings in Jesus mighty name. But this is what God said in Amos 5:23 KJV “Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.” He rejected their praise! Earlier in the chapter, He had also rejected their material offerings ( Amos 5:22).
Rejection of one’s offering whether material or spiritual is a clear indication of rejection by God and it calls for immediate action to avoid serious consequences. But before looking at the action to be taken, what may lead to such rejection by God. It is sin! This is clearly stated in the same chapter in Amos 5:12 (KJV), “For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right.”
God frowns at oppression of the poor in particular and all forms of sin in general. Proverbs 15:8 (KJV) says, “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord : but the prayer of the upright is his delight.” It is important that you do self examination regularly to identify areas where you are falling short of God’s Glory so that you can address the issues quickly and come back to the presence of God. He is merciful and generous but does not behold iniquity which is why repentance borne out of remorse will bring you to his presence and qualify you to put on the righteousness of Christ.
Your sincerity with Christ is very important to enable your offerings acceptable to God as He cannot be bribed with good works when your heart is full of abominations!
Action Point:
Check your life to ensure you are living in alignment with Jesus Christ.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero