“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 words of the Lord.” Amos 8:11
Dear Ones:
Physical hunger and thirst are very real to us, as they are the evidence of need and want. There can be great suffering as a result of the deprivation of either food or drink to meet those needs. But what of the hunger and thirst of the soul? What of food which is eternal, and drink, by which if a man eat and drink, he shall truly live?
Because our feet are made of “clay,” we are all apt to be more occupied with the material, physical, than the spiritual. The physical needs that we have are viable ones, and must be addressed. Paul, writing to Timothy, addresses this issue, and more, by saying: “If any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” (1 Tim. 5:8) Several were the occasions where Jesus would feed the multitudes physical food, as it was essential for their sustenance and well-being. But then, He would speak of the “bread of heaven,” and “living water.” Why? Just as essential to the body is food and water, so the “living bread from heaven,” Christ Himself, is essential. Also, only by drinking “living water,” can the thirst of the soul of man be satisfied, quenched. What a wonderful experience it is to eat good food, and in abundance, when one is truly hungry. And to drink of cool, fresh clean water, when the thirst is acute. How much more then, the eternal soul of man, when he partakes of Christ as his true food, is truly satisfied. How great is the satisfaction of soul, when, parched and dry for lack of water, partakes of the living water of Christ by the Spirit. In light of these realities, why does the Lord speak of a “famine in the land…hearing the words of the Lord?”
From the beginning of time and creation, the importance of the “word of the Lord” has been demonstrated. That which we discover is one of the “ways of God.” This “way” is the Lord taking the initiative to speak. His speech, specifically his words, is not without intent. He never speaks haphazardly. It is always with purpose and design, with the corresponding power and authority to bring about what He has declared. “MY WORD…shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Is. 55:11) To not know, hear, receive the “word of the Lord,” is to be deprived of that which is essential to the soul, and the true existence of man. It means that God has chosen not to speak, for the heart will not hear. When Jesus was before Herod, Herod addressed Him, hoping to see something done by Him. But Jesus did not respond or speak to Herod. He was silent. Why? There was absolutely no faith in Herod, only death, for he had proven himself to be, in the most extreme sense, godless. When there is a “famine in the land,” whether in a nation or in one’s own heart, it is because there is not the willingness, and openness, to receive such a living word from God.
Dear Father, what a contrast to the famine that you speak of in Scripture, when you say: “I WILL pour water on him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground.” (Is. 44:3) And then, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be FILLED.” (Matt. 5:6) Indeed, you satisfy the thirsting and hungering soul, by speaking the life-giving word. Enable us to hear Thy voice, and realize that Your word intent, and will, is the experience of LIFE, confirmed by Your peace, with the experience of Your Joy. We would this day, by Your grace, “open our mouths, and trust Thee to FILL them.” We thank and praise Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad