How to Escape the Most Dreadful Famine

Daily Devotional – Tuesday, April 5, 2022
“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord GOD, “That I will send a famine on the land,
not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.”
Amos 8:11 (NKJV)

Following Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine (among other factors), there was an acute shortage of fuel in some countries. In the few filling stations with the commodity, there were long queues.

When information circulated that a certain filling station had fuel, a convoy of vehicles would rush in that direction. Symbolically, there was a famine and a thirst for fuel.

God Informs His Prophets

According to Amos 3:7, God’s messages reached His people through prophets. Unfortunately, they refused to listen, hence the warning: “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God, “that I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.” (Amos 8:11).

They Shall Not Find It

Like motorists running from place to place in search of scarce fuel, the unruly people “shall wander from sea to sea and from north to east. They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, but shall not find it.” (Amos 8:12).

God’s warnings have timelines. He pleads with us lovingly, urging us to repent. If we disobey God continuously, He can withdraw His warnings and allow us to suffer the consequences of our rebellion. That is what it means to experience a famine of hearing God’s word.

How to Escape the Most Dreadful Famine

The only way to escape this dreadful famine is to heed this call: “Seek the LORD while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him: and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7).

Prayer
Lord Jesus, speak; for Your I am listening and ready to obey.