October 3, 2022 – I’m Calling Yooooooouuuuuu

“This is what he showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said, “See, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass them by; the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate, and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.” Then Amos answered… “I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’” Amos 7:7-9, 14-15

“The third vision was that of a plumb line in the midst of the people. A plumb line is a string with a heavy weight on the end of it. This causes the string to be vertically level, making a perfect standard by which to measure. The Lord says that He is going to put that plumb line in the midst of His people. He will measure them by His perfect standard, and they will be found wanting. A lot of people believe that God grades on the curve. That, as long as they are better than some people or most others, that they will not have a problem getting into heaven. But as Paul pointed out: 2Cor. 10:12 …when they measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. We will not be compared to other people. We will be compared to the perfectly vertical plumb line that God has established.” (rondaniel.com website)

Many…individuals played a significant part in (G-d’s) plan to save the Israelites, to warn the Israelites, and to tell them they were in trouble. For example, G-d provided Gideon with 300 men, valiant heroes all, to win the battle — G-d provided Amos, a farmer and dresser of Sycamore trees to prophecy to the people. We are not always told their names, but the bible is filled with examples of obedience – and disobedience. Some would have held up to a plumb line placed into their midst – others their efforts would have been left wanting.

Today, G-d is still calling ordinary people to do G-d’s work and assuring us that He will be with us as we do. G-d does not only call “Pastor’s Kids” to the ministry, G-d calls all kinds of people, from all kinds of backgrounds, with all kinds of perceived barriers along the way. But it is bigger than just calling people to the ministry. G-d calls ordinary people every day to lead ministries, to serve as volunteers, to attend bible study groups, and to visit the lonely, sick and imprisoned. Because we are ordinary people being used by God, it should be obvious to you and me that the power comes from God, and not from us. And when we realize that it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can persevere in these ministries, then we will be able to give G-d the glory for all we can achieve.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, If you call me, I am ready to follow. Give me the strength and the words to fulfill this calling. Amen.

Pastor Dave