JUNE 19, 2023 – Do We Mean It

  June 19, 2023
  Daily Reading – 1 Chron. 15-16 / John 19:31-42

 GOD’S WORD:

1 Chronicles 16:36 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        People file into church, fellowship with their friends, find a seat and get ready for Sunday morning worship. The choir or special music sing and people shout “AMEN.” The morning prayer is finished, and people agree with “AMEN.” The pastor then delivers the message that God has laid upon his heart for the day and spread throughout the sermon you hear people say “AMEN.” Yet, when Sunday night and Wednesday night services role around, you look around, and see that the same “AMEN” folk are nowhere to be seen. What does AMEN mean to them anyway?

        The Children of Israel in today’s verse shout, “AMEN, and praised the Lord.” Yet, as we read on, we will see that this great nation really did not mean AMEN at all. You see, the word AMEN means; “So be it,” or “Truly.” It is a word of agreement with what has been said before it. Israel had just said that they agreed with the statement, “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever.” For ever and ever? That did not happen. In fact, God removed them from the promised land for not being faithful. In Revelation 3:14 it says, “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;” Jesus is referred to as “AMEN,” meaning the trustworthy one. Our AMENS should mean the same. That we are trustworthy to the Lord in what we agree with.. 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        It is easy to get caught up in a moment and not think about what we are saying. Sometimes we get in the habit and say words without even thinking. Yet when we say AMEN, it really ought to mean something. So be it, truly, or trustworthy.

Do we really mean AMEN when we say it?