SATURDAY 4TH APRIL
TEXT: Amos 7:7-17
KEY VERSE – 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 an herdman, 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.
Faithfulness and fearlessness are two sides of the same coin. A faithful Christian will be fearless. Prophet Amos exhibited the undeniable attribute of a faithful prophet by promptly warning the nation of God’s anger after he received three visions.
Our reading outlines the third vision that Amos received from the Lord. He saw the Him standing on the wall with a plumbline (signifying measurement and judgment). After showing him the vision, God told him, “Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more: And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword” – (Amos 7:8,9).
The fiery message offended Amaziah, the priest of Bethel. He therefore falsely accused Amos of conspiracy against the nation and for predicting the death of King Jeroboam. He counselled Amos to “flee” to Judah and prophesy there but never again in Samaria.
Amos rebuffed his counsel and stood his ground with courage. He told him that he did not become a prophet on his own. God called him to be a prophet and he had chosen to obey Him. He reiterated his earlier prophecy that the land would go into captivity and Amaziah’s wife would go into harlotry while his sons and daughters were to fall by the sword.
Like Amos, believers must not shrink from telling sinners the truth of the word of God. He was faithful and fearless in dealing with people who cared less for righteousness. Today, God also expects His children to be faithful and fearless in proclaiming the truth of the Kingdom.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: When you fear God, nothing else will make you afraid.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: John 13-15
