Amos was a shepherd out of Tekoa. Shepherds were the lowest of low individuals who were not looked at as the greatest job, but it was a responsibility.

Amos also uses a lot of analogy from the field in the writings from which God told him to write.

May I remind us of two things this morning

#1 God can use the lowest of low to get his message across

#2 God can use our experience of the physical to give others a spiritual message.

Amos has been called by God to bearer of bad news if you will. His news would be of the coming judgment from the almighty, loving, just Savior.

In chapter 2, Amos deals with three cities; Moab, Judah, and Israel.

I want you to notice something as God points out this thought.

Amos 2:13 KJV

Behold, I am pressed under you, as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves.

God said he was pressed under them. The word pressed has a thought of weighed down.

A cart that is weighed down is incapable of doing things. Because Israel told their prophets not to prophecy and gave wine to the Nazarites that would cause them to go back on their vow to God that God said, you have caused me to not be able to do certain things but rather punish you.

Let me ask you a question this morning: Are you hindering or limiting a limitless God? You may say i can't limit something that is limitless. Yes, you can.

We sometimes give him no other choice than have to punish us for our actions. Because a cart is pressed with the sheaves, it could cause the cart to not move.

God says that because of your sin, I can not work. Because of your disobedience to me, I can not bless you. I am merciful and gracious, but with your sin, I can not bless.

Notice Matthew 13:58 KJV

And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. 

Just like Israel, we can load ourselves with sin to the point that God says I have had enough. Would it be a shame to know that a merciful God would heal our land, forgive our sin if we would simply turn to him?

Just like Israel, America has turned her back on God. We think we know better or have better options than what God has, so we rely on ourselves more than we rely on God. Sadly, but true!

Let's not hinder God from working this year in our hearts but rather let's let him have his perfect way.

"Let's thrive in 25"