Woe to you who are at ease in Zion,

Notice those that God is pronouncing “woe” to in the verse above. Desiring ease and comfort is a sin that is easy to attempt to justify. When we do desire ease and comfort, we are ultimately desiring for ourselves to be on the throne with an outlook of how we can be served. With a proper view of God we realize that He is on the throne and is to be served at all times, a life that is lived to constantly serve God will be a life that is rarely at ease in this world.

God has not called His children to be at ease in this world. Instead, He has called us to lift our eyes up and set our sights on things above. Everything in this life is worthless compared to the inheritance and hope that God has prepared for us in eternal life. He wants us to trust in Him and His promises instead of trusting in money, love or anything else that this world offers. Be assured that the ease in this world is only taking away from opportunities that God has given us to partake in His glory now and share in Christ sufferings.

When God is at the center of how we view everything in life then ease and comfort will still be our desire, but it is the ease and comfort that God has promised. As our hearts labor tirelessly for the Gospel we will be filled up and comforted with His Spirit. Making our ultimate goal to win souls for Him gives us an opportunity to present God as more glorious then any ease and comfort that can await us in this life. Therefore, let us run this race hard, know that at the finish line when we hear “well done good and faithful servant,” we will know that we have not missed anything.

Seek good and not evil, That you may live; So the LORD God of hosts will be with you, (Amos 5:14)

The LORD God of hosts desires to be with you. The One who formed the mountains and created the winds seeks to commune with you. He who calls the sun in the morning and the moon at night is calling you to Himself. The only one able to tread the high places of the earth has followed you everywhere you have journeyed and will never leave you nor forsake you. The creater of Heavens and Earth has a created this earth so that we may see His glory and seek Him.

What better time then now to seek His face. Seek Him while there is still time. Seek Him and live. Come and find the satisfaction that your soul longs for. Apart from God there is no resting place for your soul. He is the living waters that your soul thirsts for. He is the giver of all good gifts and the source of goodness, only by His common grace do we know any good. Any seeking that is not for Him or his glory leads to death. Only He can satisfy what your souls long for.

In heaven all of eternity will be a seeking after God. There is no reason to wait until then to begin that seeking. Now is the time to begin looking for His power and wisdom in all of creation. Don't let another day start without thankfulness for God's unfailing faithfulness that woke you up. Let every breath be a reminder of His favor on your life. Allow nothing to inspire more awe then the fact that the King of the Universe sent His Son to die for you. Now is the perfect time to take in glimpses of His glory so that Heaven will not be a complete shock when we see Him in His majesty and splendor. That truly will be the true essence of living.

I was no prophet, nor was I a son of a prophet, but I was a sheepbreeder (Amos 7:14)

If you are aware of your inadequacies and inability to do great things for God, then takes your eyes off of yourself and look to God. The God that has called you into His kingdom is a God who uses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. Amos was a sheepbreeder that had no prophets in his family tree, but yet by God's calling he became a prophet. David was the youngest in his family and a shepherd, but by God's calling he slayed a giant and became a great king. Is there something that God is calling you to, but yet you know on your own you cannot fulfill that calling? You are correct in know that on your own you can do not what God has called you to, but know that by His grace all things are possible.

Look back at what He has already done and be encouraged. You were once enslaved to sin, but by the power of Christ blood you have been freed. Previously you were lost, living without a purpose, but now you have been found and living for God's glory. Before His grace took effect you were dead and unable to do any good deeds, but now you are alive and able to do good works He has prepared for you. At one time you were dirty, covered from head to toe by sin, but you have been made new and cleaned by the blood of the lamb. God has done all this and is able to do so much more then we could ever ask.

Does the thought of sharing the gospel with your neighbor scare you because you know you are not a great evangelist? Remember that your ability to take the Gospel to those in need is not dependent on you, but on the God who is faithful to do good works through you. Has the process of sanctification been tougher then anticipated and brought more discouragement then you hoped? Be assured that being holy is what you are declared because of the cross not what you will acheive by your work. The way that God uses sheepbreeders like you and when you are humble and know your dependence on Him.