There is a famine in the land, but we don't have to participate

"The days are coming," declares the Sovereign LORD, "when I will send famine through the land -- not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the LORD, but they will not find it."  ~ Amos 8:11-12

There is definitely a famine in the land. Many of us who are struggling through a difficult economic time in our lives, are still not going to bed hungry at night. At least not hungry for food. Many community organizations and churches in our area have food pantries, and we also have a "back pack" program where every Friday there is a bag filled with groceries for families to use over the weekend when kids don't have access to school lunches. These programs have helped many families in our community, and the prayer of our hearts is that this physical nourishment will encourage people to realize that there is spiritual nourishment available, also.

So the famine we are experiencing is not that of a lack of food, but an emptiness that comes when we are not connected to one another, or to our Heavenly Father who is the Giver of life. When everywhere we look people are searching for the next exciting adventure, through putting themselves in physical danger for the thrill of the ride or through the destruction of drugs and alcohol . . . . or even the loneliness that is the ultimate result of seeking the intimacy that all human beings need through a string of broken relationships. There is no substitute that can be placed in the heart of all human beings that will take the place of God's grace, love, and mercy that we can only know through His Word. That is the famine that we face, and it is desperate.

People are desperate, and yet so many do not want to hear about the one, and only, way to fill that empty place in their hearts. "Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching . . . . .," but it seems that they do not know that what they are seeking is "the Word of the Lord." We have been so blinded by the flashing lights, the banging and clanging of all of the chaos around us, and the enticement of the adventure that we are promised if we just buy the next, greatest product that comes along. It is true that all of the technological gadgets, all of the amazing movies with incredible special effects, all of the music that screams at us and demands that we engage, all of the night lights that lure us to investigate what is around the next corner are so inviting. But behind all of the surface "beauty" that intrigues us is a danger that seems so subtle . . . . until one walks around that corner.

I am always amazed that when a young person (or even an older person, but all of this deception seems to start in the heart and mind of a younger person) chooses to go down a path that will lead to his or her own self-destruction, why it never crosses their mind that THIS lifestyle has never turned out well. Ever. No matter how many material possessions a life of self-destruction provides, whether through illicit drugs or behavior, people who give themselves to a lifetime of selfish indulgence are ultimately lonely and struggle with regret and guilt. It never turns out well.

But the gift is real . . . . famine is our choice when we turn away from the table of God's grace that is laden with forgiveness, mercy, love, and eternal life. No one needs to go hungry in God's Kingdom. Unfortunately so many of us choose to wander aimlessly through life, wondering why we are always searching for bread - when what we ultimately need is the Bread of Life. The Lord Jesus Christ is waiting for us to join Him at the table, so why do we keep trying to find the banquet of life where it will never be found?

Please join this week's "In Other Words" participants by visiting Miriam Pauline on her blog, Miriam Pauline's Monologue. Then, share your thoughts on this quote and leave a link back to your blog so we can visit you! Have a wonderful Tuesday, and don't forget to accept the gift of God's bounty in your life today.  ~~ Nina 

Comments

[Miriam Pauline]

Wow! This is an amazing post. It is so true that we do not need to go hungry for his word--but many of us choose to on a regular basis. We don't have to participate in the famine. Thank you for the reminder and for joining the conversation today.

[Missie]

"even the loneliness that is the ultimate result of seeking the intimacy that all human beings need through a string of broken relationships. "
I know that i have gone through this and am watching some friends, I hope that I can reach them...maybe sometimes the famine is necessary to find the Lord.

[Debbie]

"The Lord Jesus Christ is waiting for us to join Him at the table, so why do we keep trying to find the banquet of life where it will never be found?"

How true your words are indeed.

So many people try other 'things' and 'people' to fill themselves up. But nothing can satisy like our God. His Word is available so we don't have to go hungry.

Blessings,
Debbie

[Tami Boesiger]

We must give Satan credit for leading people off the path. He entices and tempts and the immediate satisfaction he offers seems more exciting than following the path of someone who has gone before. He convinces us we are strong enough to combat it, but soon proves we are not.

This is all the more reason we need to be in God's Word constantly and gain His perspective in our daily choices.

Thanks for a thoughtful post, Nina.

[LittleWomen21]

Having been saved now for 16 years, I understand what you mean when you say "I am always amazed when [someone] chooses to go down a path that will lead to his or her own self-destruction, why it never crosses their mind that THIS lifestyle has never turned out well"... it reminded me of my choices before I knew the Lord.

Satan is clever and he disguises the danger. He lied to Eve to assure her she would not die if she ate the apple; and he lies to us today, telling us that we can partake of a little of the excitement of dangerous things - alcohol, drugs, sex outside of marriage - and that we are strong enough to resist the dangers of those things.

Praise that God is ultimately in control, not Satan. You said "No one needs to go hungry in God's Kingdom" - praise the Lord! Even after we have made wrong choices, the Lord is merciful.

I also enjoyed reading your post from last week. Good truths there, too.