Amos 4:12 Therefore thus will I do to you, O Israel: and because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel. : — To prepare to meet Him implies a firm belief of His approach, and careful consideration in what way best to receive it. This precept is often applied to the idea of meeting God in another world. But we may, apply the lessons of this teaching to what goes on in this world. How may we '"prepare to meet our God" as He comes near to us? I. DURING OUR PROBATION ON EARTH. 1. In the way of repentance. God reveals Himself to us as willing and waiting to be gracious; He calls on the careless and impenitent to meet Him in mercy, and tells them to do so — (1) Quickly. (2) Carefully. (3) Decidedly. 2. In the way of temporal blessings. Then we should meet Him in a spirit of gratitude and praise. 3. In the way of temporal sorrow. Sorrow is often represented in Scripture under the idea of the clouds, the whirlwind, and the storm. (1) Endeavour to turn judgment aside by humble prayer. (2) Bear it as coming from God. 4. In the use of the means of grace, Men often lose much from not preparing to meet God in His own ordinances. Prepare to meet Him — (1) With reverence and godly fear. (2) With earnest expectation. 5. In the works of righteousness. II. AFTER THE TIME OF OUR PROBATION IS OVER. 1. Very solemn and awakening is the thought of meeting God at that moment, when every earthly prop will have been taken away from the soul, and the veil of flesh removed, and every delusion will have vanished for ever. Remember this in the midst of the engrossing concerns of this uncertain life. Realise that you are only,, strangers and pilgrims here. 2. After death comes judgment, when we must be made manifest "before the tribunal of Christ. Prepare for that day. Judge yourselves now. (Vincent W. Ryan, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. |
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