Tag: Famine
“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
Real Food for the hungry!
Scripture reading for August 5th: Amos 7-9, Matthew 15
Key Scriptures: Matthew 15:32-37 “Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with Me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.” And the disciples said to Him, “Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd?” And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” And directing the crowd to sit down on the ground, He took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks He broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. . . .”
Jesus had compassion on the crowds of people that had followed Him and were with Him in the wilderness to hear God’s Word. He was concerned for their welfare and asked the disciples to feed them physically as He had given them a spiritual feast of God’s Word. There were few resources, but Jesus took what they had and blessed it, giving thanks and breaking it to give to the disciples. They, in turn, broke it again and gave it to the people! The bread and fish multiplied in their hands and all needs were met! They even had left-overs!
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your great compassion and desire to empower Your disciples by Your Word. Help me to obey You and feed the people real ‘bread’, the Word of God!
Amos 8:11 “”Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “when I will send a famine on the land–not a famine for bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the Words of the Lord.””
The Lord’s Will be done!
Scripture reading for July 1st: Acts 21:1-17
As Paul traveled to Jerusalem, he and his traveling companions made stops to visit the brethren in the churches which Paul had a part in starting. At Tyre, the group stayed with disciples there for seven days. Through the Holy Spirit, they warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem. (Acts 21:4) However, this did not deter them from traveling on.
When the reached Caesarea, they stayed a few days with Philip the evangelist. Philip was one of the original seven deacons (Acts 6:5) and he had four daughters who were prophetesses. “After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.” (Acts 21:10-11) This caused all the people there and with Paul to plead with him not to go to Jerusalem!
“Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” (Acts 21:12-14) Paul knew what the Holy Spirit had told him. The prophecies only confirmed what he knew was the Lord’s will. He was willing to suffer as Jesus had for him and die if necessary!
Several lessons are for us here. First, prophesy is not always directive but informative and confirming what God’s will is. It is also not always good news for our flesh, but is often warning and preparation. We must hear from God ourselves first!
Second, God uses suffering and imprisonment to further His plans and reach people. His servants must be willing to suffer. We can’t always have it like we want it! In the end, we must say “The Lord’s will be done”! It is our privilege to suffer and even die for the Name of our Lord Jesus if that is required for God’s will! We must be careful that our personal feeling and others opinions don’t sway us from obeying God! God’s will is always best, even if it’s difficult!