Amos 1
Open Hearts Open Ears!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Saturday, August 31.
Do you need to be an ordained clergy person to hear from God? Absolutely not! From ancient times to today, God has used men and women from many different backgrounds and vocations to be His spokespersons, people who faithfully communicate His Word through their words. Pointedly, Amos 1:1-2 introduces one of the first writing prophets of Israel, a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea:
The words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders from Tekoa, which he envisioned in visions concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. He said, “The Lord roars from Zion and from Jerusalem He utters His voice; and the shepherds’ pasture grounds mourn, and the summit of Carmel dries up.”
Think about your favorite farmer who is out harvesting his or her crops right now and imagine God giving that person a divine revelation for the nations while riding the tractor. That is what happened with Amos, who was a small-town sheepherder and farmer, as he explained in Amos 7:14-15, “I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet; for I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs. But the Lord took me from following the flock and the Lord said to me, ‘Go prophesy to My people Israel.’” Amos was not ambitious for the religious office of prophet; rather, he was given God’s Word while happily going about his everyday work life. God calls upon people who have open hearts, which open their ears to hear from Him.
Seize the moment and open your heart to hear from God. Whatever your job may be, make space to listen for God, who desires to use everyday working people to make His Word known to the nations through their lives.
God bless you!
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