When the sound of warning is heard, shouldn’t the people be alarmed? That alarm is sounding in our generation and the “listening heart” will hear it.

Warnings are welcomed in every facet of society. We have fire alarms and Amber Alerts on our phones. We have sophisticated earthquake instruments and warning systems. We have vehicle dashboard readings to warn us. 

What keeps us from appreciating and receiving God’s warnings? To turn to Him and away from our destructive actions? There is one Master and Lord and a counterfeit master and lord. We are not in the equation; we are not master of our fate. If we don’t settle it in our hearts once and for all to give all to God, we’ve decided to give ourselves to the counterfeit.

God chose Amos, a shepherd and a sycamore-fig farmer, to prophesy to Israel and sound the alarm. He was a contemporary of prophets like Hosea, Micah, and Isaiah. But Amos was not a priest or someone who held an educated, religious status. He simply spoke what he heard from God, who “never does anything until He reveals His plans to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7). 

Amos leveled a clear accusation. Israel rejected the Lord’s instructions, refusing to obey his decrees. They were led astray by the same lies that deceived their ancestors. 

“Therefore, says the Sovereign Lord, ‘an enemy is coming! … But still, you would not return to me…You care nothing about the ruin of your nation…But that’s how foolish you are when you turn justice into poison and the sweet fruit of righteousness into bitterness” (see Amos 2:4; 3:11; 4:8; 6:6, 12).

Whenever we hear warnings, it’s a sign that Mercy is offering hope and help. Listen to God’s heart for His people. Listen to His words that reverberate down through the ages: “Come back to me and live” (5:4)!

The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy. May we all prophesy His Word and His heart and mind. We can invite Him to reveal the condition of every part of our hearts. May we take courage to receive His warnings and His mercy.

“Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! … Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper…Turn your courts into true halls of justice” (5:14-15).