Can you imagine the prosperous, good ole USA being struck
by a famine? That’s hard to fathom but
that’s exactly what America is threatened by. Amos ends with continued warnings
from God about His people being content in their sin laden and self-seeking
lifestyles. In chapter 8 He warns of a
coming famine. This is no usual famine,
however, of physical food and water. This describes a much more serious famine,
a spiritual famine where man is without the spiritual provision of God’s
Word. At first glance, I pictured in my
mind some of the third world and pagan countries where Christians are
persecuted and Bibles are hard to come by.
But, as I read it and studied it more, I realized this famine describes
a famine within a land of plenty.
“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.
They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the LORD, but they shall not find it.
“In that day the lovely virgins and the young men shall faint for thirst. (8:11-13)
What kind of famine? “ A famine of hearing the Words of the Lord. Do you think that could be happening today? Of course it is. America has full and easy access to physical Bibles, online Bibles, Christian radio, Christian TV, etc. And yet, the masses do not hear. There are too many other voices and noises to distract as well as shape and influence our values, culture and thoughts. The young of society are the most affected. They did not live in the generations before cell phones and social media where family actually spent quiet evenings together around the kitchen table, and where there was at least some common respect for God’s Word. It’s not surprising that the younger generations have even higher numbers of depression, social anxiety, addictive behaviors, criminal behaviors and just a general restlessness and angst.
Spiritually, we are designed to need the Words of God. His Words are not just letters on a piece of paper but living, nurturing staples of our existence.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
Without the Words of God we are without guidance, purpose or hope.
Everything written in the Scriptures was written to teach us, in order that we might have hope through the patience and encouragement which the Scriptures give us. (Romans 15:4)
Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105)
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left (Isaiah 30:21)
What kind of famine? “ A famine of hearing the Words of the Lord. Do you think that could be happening today? Of course it is. America has full and easy access to physical Bibles, online Bibles, Christian radio, Christian TV, etc. And yet, the masses do not hear. There are too many other voices and noises to distract as well as shape and influence our values, culture and thoughts. The young of society are the most affected. They did not live in the generations before cell phones and social media where family actually spent quiet evenings together around the kitchen table, and where there was at least some common respect for God’s Word. It’s not surprising that the younger generations have even higher numbers of depression, social anxiety, addictive behaviors, criminal behaviors and just a general restlessness and angst.
Spiritually, we are designed to need the Words of God. His Words are not just letters on a piece of paper but living, nurturing staples of our existence.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
Without the Words of God we are without guidance, purpose or hope.
Everything written in the Scriptures was written to teach us, in order that we might have hope through the patience and encouragement which the Scriptures give us. (Romans 15:4)
Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105)
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left (Isaiah 30:21)
What does hearing the Word of God mean? It means not just listening to Scripture or reading Scripture but meditating on it and applying its truths.
So then, anyone who hears these words of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. (Matthew 7:24)
"But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance (Luke 8:15)
“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves”. (Luke 1:22)
For it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. (Romans 2:13)
Amos warned the people to seek the Lord and several times in Amos, the Lord says “Seek me and live.” God is ever present, patiently waiting for us to realize our need and connect to Him. Studying God’s Word and praying are important communications. Through God’s Word we grow spiritually and God is able to impart His wisdom to us. He then expects us to apply those teachings and understandings of His Word and His will to our lives. Feast on The Word of the Lord and pray for those around you who fail to hear His Word. Pray that the spiritual famine would lift and God’s Word would impact America with compassion and love.
So then, anyone who hears these words of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. (Matthew 7:24)
"But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance (Luke 8:15)
“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves”. (Luke 1:22)
For it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. (Romans 2:13)
Amos warned the people to seek the Lord and several times in Amos, the Lord says “Seek me and live.” God is ever present, patiently waiting for us to realize our need and connect to Him. Studying God’s Word and praying are important communications. Through God’s Word we grow spiritually and God is able to impart His wisdom to us. He then expects us to apply those teachings and understandings of His Word and His will to our lives. Feast on The Word of the Lord and pray for those around you who fail to hear His Word. Pray that the spiritual famine would lift and God’s Word would impact America with compassion and love.
Isa 55:6 “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;
Isa 55:7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isa 55:10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
Isa 55:11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.