DO NOT SADDEN GOD!

[Pastor Bayo Afolaranmi]

Dearly Beloved,

DO NOT SADDEN GOD!

“Behold, I am pressed under you and I will press you down in your place as a cart presses that is full of sheaves” (Amos 2:13 AMP).

Historically, God was so gracious to the people of Israel. A handful of people that went down to sojourn in Egypt became a great threatening nation to their hosts. God raised leaders in Moses, Aaron, Miriam and other prophets for the Israelites and brought them out of Egypt with many signs and wonders against the Egyptians. He led them in the wilderness for forty years providing for them and protecting them from all dangers. He drove powerful nations out of Canaan so that the Israelites could inherit the Promised Land. He settled them down in that land flowing with milk and honey. In spite of these, the Israelites were not grateful. They did all kinds of wrong things against God. They insulted the prophets sent to them by God. In fact, they abandoned their God for other gods. God was so depressed by their actions that He promised to depress them by their enemies (see Amos 2:6-16). The sin of the world during the time of Noah had also made God to be sad that He destroyed the then world (see Genesis 6:6-7).

Today, many people are like the ungrateful Israelites. In spite of God’s goodness to them, they continue to wallow in sins that make God sad. Most of such people are only religious, they are not spiritual. In spite of the teachings of the Bible to live rightly with God and other people, they prefer to live sinfully. They, indeed, sadden God by their behaviours. If these people refuse to repent, God will not hesitate to bring His judgment on them, but “He is patient with [them], not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 NIV).

Are you like those ungrateful Israelites? Do you do things that sadden God? Repent now before it too late. God will indeed bring His fierce judgment against all those that are doing contrary to His will. Do not sadden God this year by your actions.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Prayer Point: Pray that you will not do things that will sadden God this year.