1. Amos 6:1–3 (ESV)
  2. Application

True and false security

Amos 6:1–3 (ESV)

1 “Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria, the notable men of the first of the nations, to whom the house of Israel comes!

There is a big difference between true security and false security. False security is a security that might look very impressive and watertight, but when push comes to shove, it proves to be very disappointing. True security might not look all that impressive at times, but when push comes to shove, it does not disappoint.

The leaders of God’s people in the days of Amos—which were days of prosperity—felt quite secure. Both Israel and Judah saw themselves as actual leaders among the nations. Their security, however, was not in the Lord—and thus it was a sham.

In order to shake them awake, he calls them to join him on a tour of other places that also once felt secure but since then have been conquered by foreign armies. These places had once been great—but were not doing so well anymore. Why not? Ultimately because the Lord ensured that—and he would ensure the same would happen to Israel and Judah too since they did not seek their security in him…Apart from God there truly is no security…So where can we find true security—even though it often does not seem that way? In Christ! In seeking his kingdom first!