Amos 7:14-15 Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was a herdsman, and a gatherer of sycamore fruit: And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.
Yes Friends, that’s certainly in keeping with the Lord’s style; choosing lowly, humble people, sometimes the dregs of society to do His most important work. It’s one of the attributes I greatly admire about Him. One would think that for such an important job as prophesying, the Lord would choose a learned person with good standing in society. The odds of them being listened to are usually greater than the lowly, uneducated. But no, in this case He gave the honour to a commoner; a lowly shepherd and sycamore fruit gatherer. As Amos says, ‘I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son.’ He certainly didn’t seem to fit the part. But obviously the Lord saw promise in young Amos. ‘And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go prophesy unto my people Israel.’ And Amos did as instructed, apparently without any hesitation or argument. ‘Surely the Lord God will do nothing but, he revealeth his secrets unto his servants the prophets. The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?’ (Amos 3:7-8) Yes Friends, Amos’ attitude was one of immediate obedience. He didn’t run and hide like Jonah, but stood up strong and did as directed. Our Lord’s modus operandi is to choose the most unsuitable looking people to fulfil His greatest works. Look at Moses; an outcast from Pharaoh’s household and his own Israelite people, a murderer, hiding out in the wilderness. And in spite of all Moses’ entreaties; his advanced age, his lack of oratory and his stammer, God promised to help him, and Moses became one of the greatest leaders ever. He did the same with Bruh David: took a lowly shepherd boy and made him into a great warrior king, writer and musician. Then there’s Jacob; an ole crook and thief, manipulating his brother, Esau, to sell him his birthright. Then with Rebekah, his mother, outwitting his blind father Isaac, to give him Esau’s rightful blessing. But when Jacob straightened up, the Lord promised him great things, changed his name to Israel, for his persistence in wrestling an angel all night, just to be blessed. Jesus also chose His disciples from the lower, uneducated strata of society; a tax collector, several fishermen, and others of low estate. The only well educated and high society person amongst the early workers was Bruh Paul. And we all know how God brought him to heel. We could talk about Joseph who suffered terrible injustice, but suffered quietly because he knew from an early age that he was destined for greatness. Friends, all these people had certain things in common; they exhibited outstanding faith and trust in God’s promises and diligently obeyed His word. That includes Jesus, who did His Father’s will, although it cost Him his life. And the moral of the story; don’t ever think yourself unworthy of great things. You may be poor and uneducated, but if you feel the Lord’s calling to do something that seems unlikely in the natural, ignore the doubts, it’s just the enemy trying to keep you away from your God-given destiny. Know that anything He calls you to do, He will provide the grace and power to do it. Just keep looking to Him for guidance and direction. More great people have begun with nothing, than those who began with something. So just step out in faith anytime you feel His call, even though much opposition may come against you. If you faithfully persevere, He will bring you through it successfully. That’s His promise. Much LOVE!…if God says jump…just say…how high Lord…
Yes Friends, that’s certainly in keeping with the Lord’s style; choosing lowly, humble people, sometimes the dregs of society to do His most important work. It’s one of the attributes I greatly admire about Him. One would think that for such an important job as prophesying, the Lord would choose a learned person with good standing in society. The odds of them being listened to are usually greater than the lowly, uneducated. But no, in this case He gave the honour to a commoner; a lowly shepherd and sycamore fruit gatherer. As Amos says, ‘I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son.’ He certainly didn’t seem to fit the part. But obviously the Lord saw promise in young Amos. ‘And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go prophesy unto my people Israel.’ And Amos did as instructed, apparently without any hesitation or argument. ‘Surely the Lord God will do nothing but, he revealeth his secrets unto his servants the prophets. The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?’ (Amos 3:7-8) Yes Friends, Amos’ attitude was one of immediate obedience. He didn’t run and hide like Jonah, but stood up strong and did as directed. Our Lord’s modus operandi is to choose the most unsuitable looking people to fulfil His greatest works. Look at Moses; an outcast from Pharaoh’s household and his own Israelite people, a murderer, hiding out in the wilderness. And in spite of all Moses’ entreaties; his advanced age, his lack of oratory and his stammer, God promised to help him, and Moses became one of the greatest leaders ever. He did the same with Bruh David: took a lowly shepherd boy and made him into a great warrior king, writer and musician. Then there’s Jacob; an ole crook and thief, manipulating his brother, Esau, to sell him his birthright. Then with Rebekah, his mother, outwitting his blind father Isaac, to give him Esau’s rightful blessing. But when Jacob straightened up, the Lord promised him great things, changed his name to Israel, for his persistence in wrestling an angel all night, just to be blessed. Jesus also chose His disciples from the lower, uneducated strata of society; a tax collector, several fishermen, and others of low estate. The only well educated and high society person amongst the early workers was Bruh Paul. And we all know how God brought him to heel. We could talk about Joseph who suffered terrible injustice, but suffered quietly because he knew from an early age that he was destined for greatness. Friends, all these people had certain things in common; they exhibited outstanding faith and trust in God’s promises and diligently obeyed His word. That includes Jesus, who did His Father’s will, although it cost Him his life. And the moral of the story; don’t ever think yourself unworthy of great things. You may be poor and uneducated, but if you feel the Lord’s calling to do something that seems unlikely in the natural, ignore the doubts, it’s just the enemy trying to keep you away from your God-given destiny. Know that anything He calls you to do, He will provide the grace and power to do it. Just keep looking to Him for guidance and direction. More great people have begun with nothing, than those who began with something. So just step out in faith anytime you feel His call, even though much opposition may come against you. If you faithfully persevere, He will bring you through it successfully. That’s His promise. Much LOVE!…if God says jump…just say…how high Lord…
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