Tag: Amos 8:11-12
Hearing the Word of God Famine?
Scripture reading for September 14: Amos 8-9
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will send a 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
We are so blessed in America! According to the latest statistics in 2021, we have nearly 330,000 Christian churches across our land. We have services broadcast on television, cable, internet, and radio each day of the week. Christians should be out in the community sharing their faith and the Word of the Lord each day. We should not have a famine for God’s Word or have to search for it! It is readily available! Access to Bibles is not restricted here either, and, indeed, most households have more than one.
Amos lived and ministered among a people who were religious and went to church each Sabbath day to hear God’s Word! They had prophets like him who spoke to them regularly. To come into the adult world of that day, children had to memorize the Books of Moses before their thirteenth birthday. What happened that they would have this famine in their land? Can a person or people have the Word of the Lord and still have a famine for it?
When we ignore the Lord Himself and disrespect the light that we have from Him, we go into darkness that is deeper than before! These people had the truth and rejected it! They willfully went their own way and neglected to apply what was made known to them. This brought God’s wrath and judgment on them. This should be a strong warning to us today in America! To whom much has been given, much will be required!
God’s mercy is evident even in these dire prophetic writings of the prophet Amos. (Amos 9:8-10) God promises restoration after the shaking of judgment. He promises to restore the nation again and plant them in the land that He gave to them. (Amos 9:11-15) God’s goodness to a stubborn people is amazing! It draws us to repentance and faithful love again! (Romans 2:4) Let His mercy bless you today! Take advantage of the blessing of having God’s Word as your living Bread! Eat and be satisfied!
“Is there any Word from the Lord?”
Scripture reading for August 13: Jeremiah 37-39
“Jeremiah was put in a vaulted cell in a dungeon, where he remained for a long time. Then King Zedekiah sent for him and had him brought to the palace, where he asked him privately, “Is there any Word from the Lord?” “Yes,” Jeremiah replied, “you will be handed over to the king of Babylon.” Jeremiah 37:16-17
When times are tough, many people are curious about what the Lord might be saying. When we haven’t listened to His Word for a long time and have tried to silence the voice of God, it is not easy to hear properly again. God knows the motives behind our questions. Such was this question from King Zedekiah. He sounded sincere–like he wanted to know and understand what the Lord was saying–but really did not believe God’s Word of judgment through Jeremiah.
We sometimes hope that God has changed His mind or given a new Word. None of the last kings of Judah wanted to hear Jeremiah’s Word from the Lord. He was in prison because of preaching that Word of coming judgment. Some pandering kings officials hatched a plot to kill Jeremiah and King Zedekiah did nothing to stop them. He really did not want to hear the word of coming judgment.
Today, people are running around looking for a “Word from the Lord”. They go to conferences and seek out those with prophetic gifts. They want to hear the latest prophetic predictions. They want guidance and direction. We each must check our motives and ask ourselves if we are obeying what has already been spoken and written from the Lord. In the last days there will be a famine, not for bread or water, but for hearing the Word of the Lord! (Amos 8:11-12)
Jesus Christ Himself is the last Word from God for the world. He offers grace and forgiveness of sins to all who will repent and believe. Have you responded to this Word? “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful Word. After He had provided purification of sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3