At Ease in Zion

Amos 6:7. A picture is given in the following chapters of the luxury and self indulgence of the people . Stretched on couches inlaid with ivory , choosing the rarest dainties , accompanying their voices on the lute , ,and drinking wine from flowing bowls , they were indifferent to the wounds from which the national life- blood was pouring . "They were not agrieved for the affliction of Joseph "  The same behaviour is only too common amongst ourselves . Indeed , this temptation besets us all . If only we are well supplied with the comforts and luxuries of life , we are apt to become thoughtless of the miseries of poverty and misfortune . If our own heaven is secure , we are apt to enwrap ourselves with an atmosphere of satisfaction and composure , without taking sufficiently to heart the needs of the great world of sin and sorrow around .
   "The affliction of Joseph "reminds us of the scene at the pits mouth ; how Joseph's brethren sat down to eat bread , while their brother was in the pit without water , and then sold him to the travelling merchantmen , to rid their sight of him . But human nature is prone to act thus in every age .   Are we at ease in Zion ? Are we using for our own luxurious enjoyment  gifts which God entrusted to our care for the world ? Are we too indifferent for the fate of those who live in our homes , or pour in great streams of activity along our streets ?  Are we sleeping in the garden , whilst our Master sweats the bloody sweat ? We have but one life to spend ; let it be a life in earnest . Let us bethink ourselves of any whom we can help the afflicted,  the widow, the sick , the lonely ..... 

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