“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).
A few days back, a church Intercessor asked a question concerning the above verse. The message of the prophet Amos is one that has always stirred me. Here is another passage that I have found to be sobering.
And the LORD said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said: “Behold, I am setting a plumb line In the midst of My people Israel; I will not pass by them anymore (Amos 7:8).
Throughout history there have been famines upon nations that resulted in total devastation upon its affected people. For example, there was the Great China Famine between the years 1959-61 that claimed the lives of over 15 million people. There was a famine in Russia in the early 1930s where over 8 million people lost their lives. There are also Biblical accounts such as the 7-year famine that took place during the days of Joseph (Genesis 41:53-57). The 3-day famine under David is recorded, where over 70,000 lives were lost. Does this have any meaning for us?
It’s very possible that something similar will affect the nations, but there is another famine coming that should give us greater concern. The prophet Amos spoke of a famine of the “Hearing of the Word of God”. Think of the potential ramifications that could take place.
Consider for a moment the following verses:
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
The above verse makes clear the necessity of faith in anything that we do for God. It is by faith that we receive Him into our lives as Lord and Saviour. It is the fruit of faith that enables us to grow in our spiritual journey as believers.
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17).”
If the above verses are true, then how do we come to know and understand faith?
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).
What happens to faith if there is a famine in the hearing of God’s Word? The implications of such an event should put the fear of God in all of us. The words of Amos represented a judgement upon Israel at a time when they were prospering. A close examination of his day will reveal many similarities to our own. Beneath their appearance of prosperity was a greed, injustice, and idolatry to false gods. The people were taking the presence of the Living God for granted. The Lord applied the plumbline to Israel, which resulted in a tragic famine of hearing God’s Word.
The above account is a sobering one, but hopefully serves as a reminder of what is required of the modern-day believer. Jesus asks the following question in the lead-up to His 2nd Coming.
(… Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth (Luke 18:8)?”
The Word Became Flesh
We are a few weeks away from celebrating the time when Jesus, as the Son of God, became the Son of Man. Now, more than ever, we need to learn to daily feed upon the Living Word of God. This is how we develop and grow in our walk, going from strength to strength (Psalm 84:7). The Word of God becomes a light and guide to our path (Psalm 119:105). The Bible also has the ability for us to know God intimately, being transformed more into his image as we grow from Glory to Glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Beginning in 2026, Lighthouse Evangelism is going to employ a daily reading devotional that is designed to acquaint Lighters with the reading of God’s Word on a daily basis. Whether one is young in the faith or a seasoned believer, everyone needs a daily diet of feeding upon God’s Word.
Think of the implications this could have for the church. The reading of God’s Word will open us to the hearing of what God is speaking and saying. This then opens the door for faith to arise so that God can fulfil His purpose and plan for Lighthouse and Lighters. The reading and receiving of God’s Word will allow us to grow in needed discernment (Isaiah 7:15). Finally, it will immunise us from the devastating consequences of the coming famine that Amos alludes to.
Let’s be sure to take time to thank the Lord for each new day, to thank him for His faithfulness, and for the gift of His Word.
DAILY MEDITATIONS:
Monday: 2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Tuesday: John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Wednesday: Psalms 119:15-16
I will meditate on Your precepts And contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.
Thursday: 1 Samuel 28:6
And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets.
Friday: Amos 4:12
“Therefore, thus will I do to you, O Israel; Because I will do this to you, Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”
Saturday: Joshua 1:8
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Sunday: Psalms 145:20
The LORD preserves all who love Him, But all the wicked He will destroy.
All scriptures are quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV).
By Pastor Timothy O’Connell
