Amos was in big trouble! He challenged Israel's rulers, as well as the prophetic 'yes-men' in the royal court. He delivered a very telling diagnosis of the nation's ills: there was rampant economic injustice and the poor were being crushed and humiliated. Those benefiting from the injustice didn't want to hear this message, so the king ordered Amos to depart from Israel and prophesy elsewhere. Amos denied being a professional prophet. He was a simple man, with humble origins, but had been commanded and empowered by God to deliver this message and he would not be silent. The truth is not always easy to hear but hear it we must if we are to be healed and set right with God. Let us not be too quick to flee from uncomfortable words.

Our salvation has been in the mind and heart of God since before the foundation of the world. We have already been marked out; everything has been prepared for us. All we need to do is open our hearts and minds to accept this gift, and to recognize that it is a gift - we have done nothing to merit or deserve it. When Jesus sent out the twelve to heal, drive out demons, and announce the kingdom of God, he forbade them to take anything. We would not think of going on a trip without packing many useful things. But they were to rely on God completely - they would be provided and cared for. Perhaps we need to rely more on God and less on ourselves - this is a lesson each of us, as well as the entire church, need to learn.