When the Lord showed Amos he was about to send a plague of locusts on Israel, Amos interceded and God relented. Next, the Lord showed Amos a great fire consuming the ocean and land. Again, Amos mediated and the Lord spared the nation.

Behold, the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand.

Amos 7:7

Lastly, God showed Amos a plumb line and said King Jeroboam would die and Israel would be exiled. God would withhold His judgment no longer. The priest Amaziah accused Amos of speaking words too hard to bear. Amos replied that prophesying wasn’t his own idea. He was minding his own business of raising sheep and figs when the Lord called him.

Amos obeyed God even though he felt inadequate for the job. How often do God’s people disobey, thinking they aren’t equipped to do what He calls them to do? When the Lord asks you to do something, look at God’s abilities – not at your own. It may not be your calling to be a leader, but it is your mission to pray for leaders (I Timothy 2:1-2). You might have every excuse not to, but look to the One who does the calling.

Recommended Reading: I Corinthians 1:26-31