29^th October 2012

 

 

SEEDS FOR HARVESTING 7-38

 

Amos  7:15

‘but the Lord called me…

“Go and prophesy to my people”.’(NLT)

 

These opening words reveal to us the deep relationship

between Amos and God.

He saw himself as a herdsman and the grower of sycamore figs,

never as a prophet.

 

There is godly power and initiative in these words

“the Lord called me”.

And God equipped him to become a prophet to God’s people

in another place: complete strangers to him.

 

Down through the centuries

God has continually called

those he wanted to be his spokesmen.

Gideon on the threshing floor.

He sought Isaiah out

even before Isaiah was expecting him,

Before Jeremiah was born,

God laid his hand upon him.

Saul, who was to become Paul,

received the Holy Spirit,

whilst he was still in his mother’s womb.

 

If we have not in our minds and hearts

a picture of God searching us out

and equipping us through his Holy Spirit,

then we are people without a vision.

 

God called Amos to

“prophesy to my people”.

The purpose of God in pursuing us

is not for our self-fulfilment,

but rather that we live out

his plans and purposes in ourselves

and in other people’s lives.

 

Bob Imms                    28.10.12