ODJ: hard conversations

November 11, 2015 

READ: Amos 9:8-15 

In that day I will restore the fallen house of David. I will repair its damaged walls (v.11).

Have you ever been asked to do something you didn’t feel qualified to do—something you felt that God was asking you to do? I usually feel this way in the midst of a hard conversation. The moment truth-telling becomes necessary or when I feel compelled to speak to someone who has hurt me, I especially sense the nudging of God. I feel unqualified to do what He wants—to speak the truth in love in the hopes of winning the other person back (Matthew 18:15; Ephesians 4:15).

It’s probable that the prophet Amos felt unqualified for the work to which God called him. He was neither a ‘professional prophet’ nor had he ever trained to be one (Amos 7:14). He was just a shepherd and tree farmer from Tekoa, an unremarkable, dot-on-the-map kind of town about 10 miles south of Jerusalem (1:1). Yet God called him to speak His truth during an “evil time” of injustice, immorality and idolatry (2:6-8, 5:4-5, 5:10-13). He was even called to prophesy against the ruler of Israel, King Jeroboam II (1:1, 3:1, 7:10-13). How seriously do you think the king took him? He was a second-class citizen crying out against royalty. Talk about a tough assignment!

God has a way of calling people to do hard things even when their abilities or qualifications don’t appear to match the challenge. Consider Moses’ response at the burning bush and Esther’s fear of King Xerxes (Exodus 3:1-11; Esther 4:1-14). Neither felt ready for their speaking engagements. 

If you are asked to have a hard conversation with someone, read Amos 9:11-15 again. That same God nudging you to speak the truth is a God of restoration. He can use you to help rebuild fallen houses and repair damaged walls (v.11).

—Andy Rogers

365-day-plan: Acts 21:37-22:29