A Personal Relationship

Many were skeptical about the messages delivered by Amos. Some, like Amaziah the priest, did not believe that Amos had heard from God, or that his prophecies were legitimate.

After all, Amaziah felt that he himself was the authority on such things. He had been trained for spiritual leadership. He was expected to know God and guide His people in spiritual things. And Amos was just a shepherd, a businessman.

Convinced, Amaziah told King Jeroboam, “Amos has conspired against you.” Amaziah thought he could end Amos’ ministry by commanding him to leave Judah and prophesy elsewhere.

Amos could have responded in many ways. He could have tried to defend himself or argue. Instead, he simply pointed to his relationship with God Himself. He knew he wasn’t a prophet or even the son of a prophet. He was just “a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs.”

But Amos also knew that he had a personal relationship with God. We see that relationship when God asked him, “What do you see, Amos?” This question demonstrates that God knew Amos, as a person. And Amos knew God.

In spite of Amaziah’s accusations, Amos did not have an agenda or even personal plans. He simply was God’s servant. And he was ready to obey Him and do His will, regardless of what Amaziah and others might have concluded.

Today, that same God seeks to have a loving relationship with each of us. With you! He wants us to be confident in that personal relationship. To be able to turn to Him for the guidance we need. To rest in our confidence in Him. To be ready to follow Him wherever He leads us. God wants us to be like Amos and do whatever He calls us to do.

In your life, ask God to speak to you. Seek to deepen your relationship with Him, to know Him more intimately than ever before, and to trust Him completely.