The Latest News on the Word of the Lord Famine

Scripture Verse that caught my attention today: Amos 8:11 The time is surely coming, says the Lord GOD,
when I will send a famine on the land;
not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water,
but of hearing the words of the LORD.

Observation: The threat of famine was very real in those days (it’s very real in parts of the world these days too, though those of us in industrialized countries are largely immune to it and, unfortunately, often oblivious to it as well.). So it’s a severe word to use in reference to the words of the Lord. It is intended to make a very strong point.

Application: It’s one thing to intentionally spend some time alone. It is quite another to be forced into a lonely existence. And when we are in that state, and we cry out and no-one answers…what then?

Even though I’ve never truly been in this state, there have been at least a couple of occasions when I felt like I was in this state. And even though such times only lasted for perhaps a few troubling hours…well…they were troubling hours!

Pastors know that any number of people might be feeling this way at any particular worship service, but pastors do not necessarily know the identities of these people. And yet we are called to do all we can to assure that those who long for a word from the Lord hear a word from the Lord! No one should be famished by the end of worship!

But sometimes I’m unaware of the best words to say. Sometimes I am unaware of a particular person’s plight. In those times I must simply operate from the promise that I am a child of God and that God will somehow speak through and/or in spite of me. If God refuses to speak, then there’s nothing I can do. But in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, God has spoken; the one who was forsaken will not forsake.

The ‘words of the Lord’ famine of which Amos spoke has long since ended. Yet not everyone has heard the news. Spread the word!

Prayer: Lord, an old hymn puts it well: “Lord speak to us that we may speak.” In Jesus’ name. Amen.