Folly of Carnal Security
TEXT: AMOS 6:1-14
Key verse: “Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near” (Amos 6:3).
The natural man who does not know God suffers from self-conceit. Like the rich fool, many people have made riches or wealth their security, not knowing that such can grow wings and fly away. Others have made covenants with the devil thinking that such covenants made with death would grant them long life. Alas, they also turn out disappointed. “Because ye have said, we have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement, when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves” (Isaiah 28:15).
Our text is a description of the pride, security and sensuality of the people of God for which he would reckon with them. They were vainly conceited of their own dignities, thinking that those would secure them from the judgment predicted. Those dwelling in Zion thought that there would be honour and protection for them. They felt that because God’s sanctuary was there, it would shelter them from His judgment. But the Lord has pronounced His judgment upon them for their carnal security. “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion and trust in the mountain of Samaria…”
Every form of man-made security is bound to fail. The Scripture counsels, “Put not your trust in princes nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help…. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes”. It is simply foolish to rely on any protective shield that does not have God as its origin.
The Scripture clearly affirms that “he who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide in the shadow of the Almighty”. When riches increase, it has the capacity to provide false security and draw a once penitent heart away from God. Don’t be fooled: repose not your confidence in that which is fleeting; rather, put your trust in Him who has the capacity to save to the uttermost.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Confidence in man is vanity.