DAY 30
DATE: 1/30/2013
Good Morning! My name is Carole Froedge, and I was asked to give you a devotional thought from the book of Amos, Chapters 1 and 5.
KEY VERSE: 1:1 The words of Amos, who was among the herdsmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah, king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam, the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
REFLECTIONS:
Amos was a herdsman from Tekoa near Bethlehem. God chose Amos to speak to the people of Israel, who, although they were enjoying great prosperity and wealth, were morally corrupt and heading for ruin. The prophecy from Amos was for the people of Israel to turn from their wicked ways and turn back to God to avoid destruction.
What spoke to me the most in the book of Amos was how God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. The book of Amos is a perfect example of this.
APPLICATION:
(Note: For the Application, Carole says this is what she was trying to say, and found that she liked how Max Lucado put it, so decided to quote him.)
Ever met a “justa”? Just a salesman. Just a secretary. Just a farmer, or just a custodian. “Just a…” implies that one’s calling or occupation is fairly insignificant, not very important in the grand scheme of things. We would feel much better if we could say with pride: world-class athlete, high-powered politician, best-selling author, brain surgeon, dynamic evangelist, CEO, television star, or a rocket scientist. Self-esteem would soar, people would take notice, and God could use us to change the world. Being a “justa” feels small and ordinary.
By most standards, Amos would be considered a “justa.” After all, he wasn’t a prophet or a priest or the son of either. He was just a shepherd, a small businessman in Judah. Who would listen to him?
But instead of making excuses, Amos obeyed and became God’s powerful voice for change.
God has no “justa’s.”
God has often used “justa’s” – shepherds, carpenters, fishermen…whatever your station in life, God can use you. Check out Amos’s example of God’s message and be willing to be used by your Lord.
Amos wasn’t much. He was a “justa”…just a servant of God. But that was enough.
from Max Lucado, “Introduction to the Book of Amos”
Thank you for being a part of the Route 66 Challenge. Thanks for reading, and you have a blessed day!
In Christ,
Carole
SAVED: 1974
FAVORITE BOOK IN BIBLE: Philippians, especially 4:13
FAVORITE BIBLE CHARACTER: Paul
FAMILY: Husband, Michael; children, Michael and Melissa; grandchildren Shelby, Collin, Alec
OCCUPATION: Retired
DREAM VACATION: Travelling Route 66 in a ‘65 Corvette