A Faithful Heart

# A Faithful Heart

The prophet Amos spoke his prophecy around the eighth century before Christ, during the reign of Uzziah, king of Judah, and Jeroboam II, king of Israel. About a hundred years earlier, the people of Israel had been defeated by the Syrian army, lost all their land east of the Jordan River (2 Kings 10:32), and were crushed like dust (2 Kings 13:7). The prophet Amos was called by God to deliver His warning message to the people of Israel, before the Lord brought calamity upon them, as recorded in Amos 1:1-2: "The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa—which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. He said: 'The Lord roars from Zion and thunders from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds dry up, and the top of Carmel withers'" (Amos 1:1-2).

Although the prophet Amos was not a prophet equipped or trained before God called him—he was merely a shepherd and gatherer of sycamore fruit—God chose him to deliver an important message to the people of Israel. God trusted him, entrusted him with a sacred mission, and knew full well that he would faithfully complete the task given to him, as the prophet revealed: "The Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel'" (Amos 7:15). God personally called the prophet Amos—not because of his reputation, but because of his heart. God saw in Amos a man who would speak the truth without compromising with a fallen people, a man who would bear the burden of proclaiming justice, even if it meant facing rejection.

Furthermore, God affirmed Amos's role as a prophet in Amos 3:7: "Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets." This demonstrates the intimate relationship between the Lord and the prophet Amos, through which He revealed His "secrets" to him. God granted him insight and chose him as His voice of warning and hope to His people. Even when the prophet Amos interceded for Israel through visions of judgment (Amos 7:2-6), God listened and showed compassion to His people.

True to his name, "Amos" means "burden," reflecting the prophet's heart regarding the sin of the people and God's calling—a man who bore a spiritual burden. The prophet Amos possessed remarkable qualities: First, faithfulness—He proclaimed God's warning to Israel despite opposition and threats; Second, courage—When he faced opposition from the priest Amaziah and King Jeroboam II, he held fast to the prophetic message God entrusted to him; Third, the fear of the Lord—Though only a hired shepherd, he was always ready to obey God; Fourth, compassion—He had compassion for the people and interceded for them, even as he had to announce God's judgment.

The prophet Amos heard God's voice calling him to rebuke His people, he obeyed Him, and he wholeheartedly and faithfully carried out His will. But what about us? We have been chosen by God and saved from sin, from eternal death in hell, and Jesus Christ has given us the Great Commission to go and preach the Gospel and make disciples of all nations. Do we have compassion for those who are lost, who have not yet heard the Gospel, or who have heard but have not opened their hearts to believe in the Lord? Do we pray asking God to open hearts and enlighten their spirits so they understand and know the Truth, the saving Gospel, and open their hearts to accept Him as their Savior? May we ask the Lord to grant us compassion as He has always shown compassion to us; may He help us care for those around us, share the Gospel, be good witnesses, and help them know God and accept Him; may the Lord strengthen us to do His work wholeheartedly and faithfully carry out His Great Commission from this day until the day Jesus Christ returns! Amen!

We thank You, Lord, for Your love and redemption, Let us live belonging to You, Peace and blessing all our days, Serving joyfully, Your Kingdom's saints!

Grateful to You, obedient and faithful, Determined to follow Your perfect will, Sharing the Gospel today, Helping others know You, transformed to do good!

Let us boldly fulfill Your Commission, Trust in You, act with courage today, Steadfast in unity, joining together, Living for Your Name, a peaceful future!

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