Story of Amos is found the book of Amos chapters 6-9

Influential Men of the Bible: Amos

Story of Amos is found the book of Amos chapters 6-9

Amos, whose name means burden-bearer, was a shepherd, a herdsman, and he cultivated Sycamore Figs. He was a citizen of Judah (the southern kingdom of Israel). God sent him to proclaim the Word to the people of the northern kingdom. He was not a "professional" prophet, but a common man used by the Lord to deliver His Word to His people.

The people were now "at east in Zion" (6:4) as they enjoyed their winter houses, summer houses, houses of ivory, and houses of well carved stone. Even while the rich were getting richer, and the poor getting poorer, the people were becoming more religious and less spiritual. They had a form of godliness, but were denying the power therein… (2nd Timothy 3:5). God was not fooled by their show for him. Amos told the people that God did not have time for their rituals of religion, but rather he wanted their hearts. Amos warned the people about a coming famine that stemmed from their lack of spirituality. "Behold the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the word of the Lord (8:11). God was tired of their stuff. Amos told them that God's eyes were upon them, and that He would destroy the sinful kingdom from off the face of the earth" He would sift (scatter) the house of Israel among all nations" (9:8-9).

Although Amos' message was harsh, he ended his message with a promise of restoration "God will build them up once again He would repair the breaches, raise up his ruins and build it as in the days of old. They would once again plant, and also they will be planted in their own land and no longer be pulled up out of their land which was given them" (9:11-15).
I heard a great man by the name of Apostle James C. Williams say "religion is man reaching up to God, but salvation is God reaching down to man ". The message the prophet Amos brought to the people of Israel should serve to remind us that God is not mad at us for having the finer things in life, but he does want more for us. He doesn't just want us to merely be religious, (trying to reach God on our own terms), but He wants us to have a righteous relationship with Him.

Have you ever been hungry and nothing could satisfy that hunger? Have you ever been thirsty and nothing could quench that thirst. Perhaps the hunger you felt was not for natural food, but spiritual food. St Matthew 5:6 says, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Maybe this thirst you experienced came because you really were thirsting for the things of God. Psalms 42:1-2 says As the hart panteth after the water brook, so panteth my soul after thee O God. My soul thirstest for God, for the living God.

I challenge you today to choose relationship (inward change), over religion (outward show). Your choice could mean the difference between growth and famine.