Christian Living
January 10, 2012 – Seeking Famine?
11 Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord God, when I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but [a famine] for the hearing the words of the Lord. 12 And [the people] shall wander from sea to sea and from the north even to the east; they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord [inquiring for and requiring it as one requires food], but shall not find it. – Amos 8:11-12 AMP
Amos was a prophet without a storied background. He was not a priest, nor was he a relative of anyone in ministry. He was a shepherd, tending his flocks and providing for his family. Then his world was turned upside down by God. God called him to deliver a prophetic message to the northern kingdom of Israel. Rather than ignore the calling on his life, he was obedient and did exactly what God called him to do. In today’s passage, he speaks of a coming famine unlike any the world had ever seen. There would be no shortage of food or water. There would be no prolonged drought that would kill crops. People will actually seek God’s Word and be unable to find it. Now I am a very firm believer that this famine will actually come to pass worldwide, but as I look at our world today, I can see that some people are starving already.
Our society is literally filled with experts. Doctors often concentrate their practices on treating specific areas of the body, like the eye, foot, or even the heart. If we need legal help of a specific kind such as help with tax matters or real estate, we find an attorney who specializes in these areas. Professional counselors are even available to help people with their emotional problems or marriages. These experts have become so widespread, that there are talk shows on radio and television to help people with their problems both big and small. The hosts of these programs sometimes resemble the referee at a wrestling match and are sometimes not professionally trained, but let’s be real. Some of those shows are more times for entertainment purposes than helping people.
Now I’m not one of those Christians who teach prosperity, prosperity, prosperity. I’m not all about healing. I’m not denouncing the professionals we use when the time arises. What I am saying is that very often society becomes so preoccupied with seeking answers from professionals in the world that they starve themselves from hearing God speaking in their life. What’s worse is that they have no desire to hear what God is saying to them. This famine is self-imposed by those without a relationship with Christ. That’s to be expected. Someone who has no desire for a relationship with Him has no idea they are starving, even though they may feel like something is missing in their life. Sadly there are also Christians inside churches that are famished, hungry, and thirsty for more.
Christians find themselves hungry for God for a couple of reasons. Some are steeped in apostasy, falling away from the faith, and are starving themselves. Others are subjected to false teaching from their church. These believers are being starved by their church. Some churches and leaders set themselves up as the god of a believer’s life, while others fail to give good sound teaching on Biblical principles consistently. The believers subjected to such ideals as these know there is something more, but they are in bondage to a system they feel they cannot leave and have a fear of seeking the Truth.
7 Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened. – Matthew 7:7-8 AMP
These words by Jesus speak volumes. The truth is that if you seek Him now you will find Him. But there is a time coming when humanity will not find Him. There is a time coming when it will even be illegal to own a Bible. When the antichrist sets up his kingdom during the seven year Tribulation, those seeking God better look out. Scripture says that those caught worshiping God during that time will be beheaded (Revelation 20:4). But that time is not now. In some countries Christians are under constant persecution, but here in the United States and many other developed countries, we are free to worship God, although doing such is becoming viewed as being politically incorrect. We are free to worship Him. And we are even free to call out to Him at the top of our lungs if we want to.
I know that there are people all over the world hungry for a relationship with God. But are those people really seeking Him? Do they even know they can cry out to Him and He will be there? Are you one of those people? Has your church spent so much time feeding you coffee and doughnuts that you are famished for God’s Word? Have you chased after the emptiness of worldly desires so much that you’re wondering when enough will be enough? Don’t worry. The real famine has yet to arrive. Seek God and you will find Him. And stop letting the world and all the experts in it tell you what they think will fill you up. All you need is Him and you’ll never go hungry or thirsty again.
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