Are You Chosen?
Reflections On The Book Of Amos
Amos 3:2 "You only have I known of all the families of the earth;
therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities." (NKJV)
What an honor & privilege it is to be chosen by God, to be hand picked to
lead His people. However, it should not be taken lightly. At the beginning of
verse 2 God says through the prophet Amos to the people of Israel that "You only
have I known". God chose Israel to exemplify the life that He wanted all the
world to live. The Israelites were suppose to be KNOWN as a nation of leaders
who would become a model for the world. God held them to a higher standard than
the other nations. The Israelites obviously failed at this assignment. They did
not lead the other nations to a better place or state. Instead they joined in
with the iniquities of their neighboring nations. As a result, God declared
punishment on the Israelites for their failure to adhere to God's standard.
God goes on at the end of verse 2 to say "therefore I will punish you for all
your iniquities". I believe that we are all leaders in the body, and as leaders
God is requiring from us the same thing He required from the Israelites. As
leaders we are called to be that light for the world that Israel was supposed to
be. We know that God is a good God, full of grace & mercy. However, we need not
to take the responsibility of our calling lightly. Paul says in Romans 11:22,
therefore consider the goodness & severity of God. God is not playing around
with us any longer. God is calling us to a higher standard.
He needs us to be built up even more to lead His people. If we don't get in line, how can we expect
these misguided people to? We are responsible for their spiritual development.
Their misguided behavior falls on our back. That's why He chose us. Everyone
else doesn't know any better so we must be the example for them. So we can
either get on board or God will be getting on without us. When He starts
holding people accountable, He's going to start with us leaders first. I just
hear God saying to us leaders that He can't tolerate the half commitment, lack
of devotion, lack of focus, & idleness any longer. Listen men & women of God,
take heed to what the Spirit of our Lord is saying. Those with ears to hear,
hear the Spirit of The Lord saying "Enough is enough, I've called you higher."
Encouraging thought-I pray that as we all are reading through the Book of
Amos that our fear & reverence for The Lord is sincerely increasing. I praise
God for this time of fasting because Im believing that it will take us to that
higher level God is calling us to.
The answer that the people seek & need is inside of you. I praise God for
you all saints!
Verse of encouragement: Matthew 5:14 (NKJV) you are the light of the
world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
