Amos 7:14,15
‘Then Amos replied to Amaziah, “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.’”‘
I love this. Amos was a regular guy that God used. He said he wasn’t a prophet, he wasn’t trained in that capacity. Yet God used him as a prophet.
He does the same with us. I Corinthians 1:26-29, “For consider your calling, brothers and sisters, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the insignificant things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no human may boast before God.” I love this about God. I know I was nothing special. I’m still not.
Yet God loves us. He’s crazy about us. He has adopted us as His children. Anyone who has a child knows how special that is. We want the best for them. So God loves us.
He wants to use us as His vessels. The same verse applies. “Not many were wise, mighty or noble”. Yet He uses us. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, ‘But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.’ When we recognize that God’s power is what makes us strong and capable, then He will use us even more. He will do great things through us.
Paul had things in his life that were tough. Some think his eyesight was bad. Probably quite uncomfortable. He prayed that God would deliver him from that. This latest verse is His response. God wanted him to have that malady. It made Paul more dependent on God.
If we know the truth, then we are quite aware of our average state. We know many rock stars. Very popular, much favor. They have a high view of themselves. That’s ok. We know where the power and sufficiency comes from. Amos did.
We need to be content in this state. I recall being unhappy with myself. Wanting to be different. Not any more. I don’t have to live up to a high standard. I Timothy 6:6 says, “Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain.” It’s easy to wish and yearn to be more. He wants us to be happy as we are. That’s an important part of the mindset that God wants us to have.
From here He can use us. We don’t need or want the credit. We do want to be used by Him. How cool is that, used by the King of the universe. Exciting. This attitude is of those whom God uses. The earlier passage says that “His power is perfected in weakness”.
That explains one of Jesus’ beatitudes, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. When we know that without Him we aren’t much, then we go to Him for help. He gives us more than we need. He uses us. He blesses us.
More than that He honors us. Psalm 23 says, He prepareth a table before me in the presence of my enemies”. This is a seat of honor. We don’t seek that, He gives it. We aren’t to grow comfortable there. Sometimes it’s there, sometimes it’s not. We are to be comfortable with His love. It’s always there.
Thank You, Lord that You use us. It’s an honor. Thank You for the love and favor You bestow upon us.