Unlikely Voice

Wednesday, September 9, 2026 | Bart Harper

Amos 1-9

We often put a lot of stock in the words of people who have a piece of paper or title that says they are intelligent. We listen intently to celebrities and sports personalities because they are on television or movies, and we recognize their faces and names. But when was the last time you took advice from your garbage man? We put a lot of importance on degrees, jobs, titles, and the words that come out of those people’s mouths. But wisdom can come from the most unexpected places.

Amos was a shepherd. As we have discussed in previous devotionals, shepherds were at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder in the ancient world. They were dirty, stinky, and often had little formal education. We also know that prophets were not exactly well-liked because they showed up when the people were not doing the right thing. So, when a shepherd-prophet showed up during the time of Jeroboam II, we can probably guess how his words fell on the ears of the people.

When it comes to hearing the words of the Lord, we must fight against our preconceived notions and prejudices so we can hear the heart of the One who created us from dust. It is so easy to listen only to those who tickle our ears (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Whether it is your favorite news station, a social media influencer, or the guy on the street corner yelling, “THE END IS NEAR!!!,” we must be careful to filter every word of man through the filter of God’s Word.

But you may be wondering, “That’s all well and good, but how do I do that?” Psalm 119:11 says, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Learning God’s Word is the only way to know God’s Word. Having your Bible sitting and gathering dust on the nightstand does you no good. You must daily take up His words and soak your heart and mind in them. Start first thing in the morning, and you are likely to have a better filter for the rest of your day. Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9 again. These verses show us practical ways to get God’s Word into our lives.

We often say, “I am just one person. How can I make a difference?” Amos was one man from a small town in Judah. God used him to address eight nations that were far from the Lord. You may be one person from a small town outside of Dallas, but God can use you in a mighty way to reach the world for Him.