The Pilgrim Path---Amos 3: 6 (1—27—23)

Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the LORD has done it?

“…THE LORD HAS DONE IT?”

You could be rattled by a verse like this. No need to be. It is reminiscent of Isaiah chapter 45, “the LORD is God and there is no other.” Reminds me of Raymond Ortland, Jr., saying, “God creates all the problems of human history.” He does. He does so without being the author of sin---and He brings about all His Holy and Wise designs in the process (see Acts 2: 22 –28). The God and Father of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ is absolutely Supreme---and we are absolutely accountable for all we do in life. Stand in awe of HIM and bless HIS Holy Name!

From St. John Chrysostom: We don’t praise a physician only when he leads the patient into gardens, meadows, baths, and water-pools, or spreads before him a well-supplied table. He is just as much a physician when he makes him go without food, weakens him with thirst, forces him to stay in bed, makes his house a prison, deprives him of light, shadows his room with curtains, and when he cuts, cauterizes, and offers bitter tasting medicines. Why, then is it acceptable to call him a physician when he does so many “evil” things, yet blaspheme God, rejecting His providence over all events, if at any time He does one of these things---if He decrees famine or death?

From Ezekiel Hopkins: Do not wonder at how such abominations are allowed to happen, but wonder at the wonderful providence of God that these are not allowed more than they are.

From John Flavel: Eye the way that your mercies are conveyed to you; they flow to you through the blood of Christ and the covenant of grace…Eye the distinguishing goodness of God in all the comfortable enjoyments of your lives. How many thousands---better than you---are denied these comforts?

Grace & Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason