Zechariah 13:4-5: And in that day the [false] prophets will each be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies, and they will not wear a hairy robe [of true prophets] in order to deceive, but he will [deny his identity and] say, ‘I am no prophet. I work the ground, because a man sold me as a slave in my youth.’ (AMP)
Amos 7:14: Then Amos replied to Amaziah, “I am not a prophet [by profession], nor am I a prophet’s son; I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs. But the Lord took me as I followed the flock and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’ (AMP)
Our reference scriptures for today present an interesting parallel.
In Zechariah 13, God promised a time of judgment, cleansing and truth in Israel where people who appointed themselves prophets would confess that they are truly not prophets but farmers. Rather than being diligent farmers, they called themselves into the office of a prophet and were ashamed and wounded (cc Zechariah 13:6).
In contrast, the prophet Amos in Amos 7 described the nature of his call. He was a farmer and shepherd who was called by God to prophesy to the children of Israel. He was diligent in his role as a farmer and shepherd before God called him to prophesy to the nation of Israel.
There are crucial lessons to be learned from these two scriptures. We are to wait for God’s call rather than call ourselves into what God has not called us.
The word of God has numerous examples of people who called themselves and were ashamed like Adonijah (1 Kings Chapters 1 and 2) and Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26). We also have examples of people who were diligent in their God given assignment and were promoted like David (1 Samuel 16, 2 Samuel 5:1-5) and Elisha(1 Kings 19:19-21).
Ask yourself today: what has God revealed to me about my life and purpose? and stick to it. If anything is unclear, wait patiently for Him and ask Him to guide and direct you. Do not put on the cloak of a prophet when God has not called you. Do not exalt yourself when God is yet to. Be grateful for where you are now, wait patiently on Him, seek His will and ask that His will be done in your life. He will exalt you in due time.
Remember that anything not founded in truth will not stand the test of time and eternity (Matthew 7:24-27, Hebrews 12:25-29, 1 Corinthians 3:9-15)
PRAYER: Thank you Lord for your word today. I am grateful for where I am today and for your plan for my life. Please give me the grace to be diligent in my assignment and not exalt myself. Your plans for me are good. Help me to live life full of contentment and wait for you to guide me. In Jesus name. Amen.