God Can Use Anyone to Share His Word – Family Devotion – July 21, 2021

Read: Amos 7:10-17

Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’”
Amos 7:14-15

God Can Use Anyone to Share His Word

 

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Who would be the best football player? The one who throws the furthest, tackles the hardest, and runs the fastest. Who would be the best singer? The one with the most beautiful voice, a great smile, and lots of charisma. Who would be the best doctor? The one with the best education, most experience, and a caring heart. These are obvious choices for their type of work.

But what about the player who has a weak arm and is a little slow? Or the singer whose voice cracks and is shy? The doctor from a lesser-known school with little experience? These people would likely not be our first choice for these occupations. There wouldn’t be a sense of excitement or joy over the less than desirable choices. They likely would struggle to find a job.

The Lord’s first choice looks different. Many times, God uses the least obvious choice to do his work. In our lesson today, God chose a shepherd and a farmer. Amos was called by God away from his sheep and trees. The Lord had an additional job for him. Amos was to share God’s word with his people. Amos didn’t have the training. He wasn’t popular. The Lord told Amos to tell the people God’s messages. Amos wasn’t the clear choice. He wasn’t a great singer or speaker. He wasn’t used to being in front of people, and yet God chose him to do his work.

Today, God calls all people to spread God’s great news. It doesn’t matter if you are a football player, singer, or doctor. God calls all of us to spread his great news. Through some of the least obvious people, the Lord works to share his great message of salvation. Even if we don’t have the training, popularity, or other skills the world might say a preacher needs to have, the Lord equips us with his words and calls us to action. The success is the same now as it was for Amos. We have the opportunity to preach the news from our Lord, and he grants success. No matter the job on earth, may everyone work to spread the word that Jesus has saved us all!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we praise you for your amazing choices of those to do your work. Be with us, your clear choices, so that we might help more people to know that you are God who has come to save them. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Who does God want to tell his good news?
• Name two things that make you so good at sharing God’s Word.

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Jesus calls you to share him in your life. Figure out one way you might do that this week.
• Name two things in life that make it difficult to share Jesus.

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Why do you think God chooses the less obvious people to share his news?
• Name one person (not a pastor or teacher) who shared the good news with you and describe how that impacted you.

Hymn: CW 446:3,4 – I Am Trusting You Lord Jesus

I am trusting you for cleansing In the crimson flood,
Trusting you who made me holy, By your blood.

I am trusting you to guide me; You alone shall lead,
Ev’ry day and hour supplying, All my need.