Peer Pressure

Posted by Dion Todd May 2nd, 2024 1,354 Views 25 Comments

Amaziah also said to Amos, "You seer, go, flee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there, but don't prophesy again any more at Bethel; for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is a royal house!" Then Amos answered Amaziah, "I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son, but I was a herdsman, and a farmer of sycamore figs; and Yahweh took me from following the flock, and Yahweh said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.' Now therefore listen to Yahweh's word Amos 7:12–16 WEB.

Amos was a shepherd and a fig tree farmer. Then the Lord called him to deliver a prophecy to the backslidden people of Israel. When he did, Amaziah, the priest of the king's sanctuary, told Amos to stop talking and leave the area.

So we have the experienced royal priest Amaziah, who was a friend of the king but didn't carry the word of the Lord—contrasted with Amos, the simple shepherd who had an anointed, timely word from the Lord.

God adores the little ones. He gives His word to them and fulfills it with signs following. Everything Amos said came true, and then he told Amaziah that his wife would soon be a prostitute in the city. That was a bold step of faith, and I am sure it was frowned on by the priests listening.

Jesus was a carpenter (Mark 6:3). Peter, James, and John were uneducated, ordinary fishermen. Yet, they preached with a fire and a boldness that astonished those listening to them (Acts 4:13).

Jesus told a parable about a Pharisee and a tax collector in Luke 18:10. The "Pharisees" were the religious elite. While the tax collectors were the lowest of the low and in a social class below prostitutes. After they both prayed, Jesus said that the tax collector was more justified than the Pharisee.

When the Lord calls you to do something, don't let someone with more experience, education, a higher position, and a negative attitude hold you back. When the Lord gives you the dream and opens the door for you, step through it and trust Him. He is more than able to support you. If you feel insignificant today, then know that you are a perfect candidate to be filled with His presence and usher in something new.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please fill me with Your presence. Draw my heart to You. Speak to me and through me. I choose You today and pray that You fulfill Your perfect will in my life. Please guide me, teach me, and let me grow in faith. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: Ladies, today is Thankful Thursday at the "Ladies in Distress" group (our RHM women's group)! You are welcome to join in our weekly sharing of thankfulness for the Lord's presence and any blessings you may have experienced, big or small! Until we get our small group areas up again, Thankful Thursday will take place at the home page at RHM! As always, If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network