Complacency
            "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!  Pass over to Calneh, and see, and from there go to Hamath the great; then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than these kingdoms? Or is their territory greater than your territory,  O you who put far away the day of disaster and bring near the seat of violence?  "Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory and stretch themselves out on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall,  who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and like David invent for themselves instruments of music,  who drink wine in bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!  Therefore they shall now be the first of those who go into exile, and the revelry of those who stretch themselves out shall pass away." (Amos 6:1 – 7 ESV).
             In the days of Amos, the people of God had become complacent toward God's will and Amos warns them of the judgment that hung over their heads.   They saw themselves as the “first of nations” (the foremost nation" niv) and had a false confidence for several reasons. (Their geography, situated in the mountains, their prosperity, perhaps their government and military strength.)  False confidence, based on material resources, that ignores the spiritual dimension of life, is sure to lead to shameful defeat and/or a terrible eternity.
            Complacency is a subtle sin, based on lies, motivated by pride, and causes one to trust in things and situations rather than in God.  The end of this kind of thinking is loss and destruction, separation from God for eternity. “At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the men who are complacent, those who say in their hearts, 'The Lord will not do good, nor will he do ill” (Zephaniah 1:12 ESV). Consider some of the members of the church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:17) as an example of the danger of complacency.               
            There are lessons to be learned from the people of Amos’ time. Learn them or suffer the sad consequences. A very important lesson to be learned is that the Christian life is never a life of total ease. We know that the Christian will always be opposed by evil and Satan and his servants will do all they can to overcome the Christian's best efforts. There is daily “peer” pressure to conform to the ways of the world and to lessen our standards in every area of life.
            It should never be a surprise to us that these pressures come.  There are many warning in the scriptures that such will be the case. However, we are also reminded that the good shepherd will walk with us and protect us. (Psalm 23; John 10:11). God, in His greatness, is able to make things, even the difficult and stressful times, work out to be blessings in making us stronger in our Christian walk. (Romans 8:28) James tells us “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12 ESV).
            It is sad that. because of the hardship which often comes to the Christian, some are not willing to endure. (Even though we are promised that we will be given strength to overcome.) Some, because they are faint-hearted, others, because they love this present world, drift away because of neglect of duty. They appear to forget the price that was paid for their redemption thereby counting it as unimportant. The desires of the flesh and their fulfilment take first place over pleasing God. Their unwillingness to endure costs them heaven! Sad beyond words!
            As scripture tells us, many are called but few are chosen. Many begin but fail to endure when the trials come. We need to set our minds to do God's will and never, NEVER, let anything or anyone turn us from Him who loves us and died for us on the cross.
            Let us not be guilty of under estimating the strength of the opposition. Satan is smart enough and strong enough to lead us away from our first love. However, he is not stronger that we are because God has provided us the protection we need if we will put on the armour He provides.  “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm”  (Eph. 6:10-13 ESV).
            To win the Christian crown one must keep on keeping on. “ But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls”  (Hebrews 10:39 ESV). “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act” (Psalm 37:3-5 ESV).
            The true Christian is the one who has come to believe and trust in God, and as he experiences the blessings of God daily, believes even more in the truth of the statement we just noted from Psalm 37. The Christian has to come to the point that he builds his hopes on things that are changeless and eternal. He believes that God is indeed his Heavenly Father and on God’s being and character the future is built.
            The Christian has learned that things which are seen are not lasting. They have a LOOK of being stable; however, these things will all pass. The things for which men strive and fight are only temporary. In Matthew 24:35, Jesus reminds us that "Heaven and earth will pass away." Material things will end but the years of God will go on forever. “And, ‘You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands;  they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end’"   (Hebrews 1:10-12 ESV).The song writer has reminded us, "The earth will pass and with it common trifles, but God and I will go unendingly."
            The value of this trust in God is seen in such people as Joseph, the son of Jacob. While young he was sold into slavery and when he tried to do the right things he often suffered.  However, he was not complacent and unbelieving.  He believed in God, remaining faithful to his commitment and became the saviour from death for many. God can and will use those men and women who trust in Him, believing  His promises.
            Trust God because He is the fount of every blessing  and through His power will support us throughout our life here on earth.  God is faithful in blessing those who are not complacent in their relationship to Him.
            Trust and serve God and He will give strength for the day! By trusting Him and living for Him you will save yourself and will also be a blessing to all you meet in your life.