Godly Humility

Amos 1:1: “The words of Amos, who was among the sheepbreeders of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.”

Amos prophesied about the discipline God was bringing on the nations surrounding Israel and on Israel itself. We notice that Amos didn’t try to cover up his humble background as a herdsman and a “sycamore fruit” (fig) picker (Amos 7:14). He is the only Old Testament prophet to give his occupation before his divine calling to be a spokesperson for God. Humility is being willing to be known for who you truly are, and Amos seems to be a good example of godly, biblical humility. Many have said that godly humility doesn’t mean we pretend we don’t know what gifts God has given us, but that we remember any good gift we have, has ultimately come from God.

The famous inventor Samuel Morse was once asked if he ever encountered situations where he didn’t know what to do. Morse responded, “More than once, and whenever I could not see my way clearly, I knelt down and prayed to God for light and understanding.” Morse received many honors for his invention of the telegraph but felt undeserving. “I have made a valuable application of electricity not because I was superior to other men but solely because God, who meant it for mankind, must reveal it to someone and He was pleased to reveal it to me.”

“LORD, we desire to apply today the good gifts You have given us to the great call of sharing Jesus Christ with this dying world. Use us we ask in Jesus’ name.”