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

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I love the ministry and serving the Lord. The role that I serve in involves a multiplicity of tasks, responsibilities, and many people who need to be ministered to. The fast pace and large workload require me to be highly inspired and on the edge when it comes to completing tasks. I purposely try to plan a short time away 3-4 times a year to replenish my soul and catch up on rest. After 2-3 days, I start to enjoy the slower pace and fewer demands upon me. It is during these moments that I really enjoy being at ease, and I 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 phrase 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 circumstance and not be stretched. John describes complacency as when we are “rich, and 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 past accomplishments. Complacency occurs when we do not want to rock the boat, paddle upstream, or climb any more mountains. It is like reaching 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 endangers the spiritual life and 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 to keep our classes and our church the same size and at the status quo. We are not moved that more missionaries are not called to the field or that churches are not being started. We do not exercise more faith, pray longer and more fervently, give more to missions, or take on new challenges. We are unbothered if ministries start to die, and we 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 that complacency is a thief. Complacency makes us wretched, miserable, poor, 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 blind to complacency. Second, we must confess that we have fallen into this sin and be cleansed. Third, we must awaken to the fiery trial God might place in our lives 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 to 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!

Reading Schedule: 1 Samuel 1-3

#Amos #Complacency #Lukewarmness