At Ease in Zion
Today’s Verse:
Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came! ~Amos 6:1
I love the ministry and serving the Lord. The capacity I serve in involves a multiplicity of tasks and responsibilities, and many people who need to be ministered to. The fast pace and large workload requires me to be highly inspired and on the edge when it comes to completing tasks. I purposely try to plan short time away 3-4 times a year to replenish my soul and catch up. After 2-3 days, I start to enjoy the slower pace and lesser demands upon me because I plan, prepare, pray, and receive vision more effectively. It is at these moments that I really enjoy being at ease and almost do not want to go back to the previous pace! God told the prophet Amos to admonish Israel for being “at ease in Zion.” This is a term that describes being complacent, undisturbed, and too self-satisfied. Let us see why God gave this stern admonition.
We see the reason.
Complacency is when we become so satisfied with our situation that we see no need to improve, change, add, or go further. Complacency is when we would rather stay comfortable with our present circumstances and not be stretched. John describes complacency as when we are “rich, increased with goods, and have need of nothing” (Revelation 3:17). We feel like we have achieved enough success and would rather bask in the glory of the past accomplishments. Complacency occurs when we do not want to rock the boat, paddle upstream, or climb any more mountains. It is attaining a cruise-control speed and coasting our way along, without any destination in mind.
We see the risk.
God said, “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion.” Complacency is an endangerment to the spiritual life and to churches. When we are complacent, there is no fire or urgency to do things. We lose our concern and any burden that we once had for souls being saved. We are content keeping our classes and church the same size and at status quo. We are not alarmed that fewer missionaries are surrendered to the field or that churches are not being started. We do not exercise more faith, do not pray longer and more fervently, decline to give more to missions, refuse to take on new challenges. We are unbothered if ministries start to die, and rationalize that it might be time to let them die. We do less in everything so that we are not “spread too thin.” The truth is, complacency is a robber. Complacency makes us wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. When it settles into a church, the church is content with doing less and eventually doing nothing.
We see the remedy.
There is a cure for us. First, we must open our eyes and recognize that we have been blinded to complacency. Second, we must confess that we have fallen into this sin and be cleansed. Third, we must awaken to the fiery trial that God might place in our life to stir us back up. Fourth, we must be zealous for the Lord once again. Revive your prayer life and exercise greater faith. Commit to doing more. Allocate several hours per week at presenting the gospel to sinners and winning souls to Christ. Ask God to revive your heart for serving people. Don’t be afraid to accept new and greater responsibilities.
Do a soul evaluation to see if complacency has overcome you. Be mindful of the admonition that Amos gives us, and get out of this condition quickly.
Have a stirred-up God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Ruth