Actually, the title I prefer because of its greater accuracy is this: Even Those Who Should Be Strong and Resilient Shall Faint. Now you see why I didn’t use it!

But that’s what this next verse says to me.

“In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst” (Amos 8:13).

This fainting results from not having the Word of God.

Historically, the Jews went through that. And it needn’t have been.

But never mind them. What about me?

When I deprive myself of God’s Word, I shall faint spiritually.

No matter how strong I am now. No matter how healthy I have been. No matter how seasoned in the faith I am.

That verse reminds me of Isaiah 40:30. I’ll put down 31, though.

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.”

The priest had it with Amos’ messages (which were really God’s, of course). So he had a message for Amos . . . .

“Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there” (Amos 7:12).

In other words, it’s OK for you to keep on preaching . . . as long as it’s somewhere else.

I don’t think I’ve ever been an Amaziah to an Amos in my home congregation.

At least I haven’t told someone I didn’t want to hear their preaching anymore.

But how readily do I accept the messages I hear? Or do I just listen to them with my physical ears?

No, I don’t mean accepting every word in a sermon just because the preacher said it.

I mean carefully listening for the word of the Lord in every sermon . . . even when I don’t like the teaching.

Private