“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
The people had
no appetite for God's word when prophets like Amos brought it. Because of their
apathy, God said he would take away even the opportunity to hear his word. We
have God's Word, the Bible. But many still look everywhere for answers to
life's problems except in Scripture. You can help them by directing them to the
Bible, showing them the parts that speak to their special needs and questions.
God's Word is available to us. Let us help people know it before a time comes
when they cannot find it.
One way God
communicates is through silence. The Israelites blatantly ignored and rejected
God's Word to them, and God responded by sending a famine. This famine was far
more severe than a shortage of food and water. Instead, they were deprived of
His words of life.
God's silence
may be hardly noticeable at first. You may still remember times when God spoke
to you, but you gradually realize you've not heard His voice for a long time.
If you realize you are in a “drought,” immediately seek God and ask Him what
adjustments your life requires so you can once again enjoy fellowship with Him.
It may be that you disobeyed His last instructions to you and that He is
waiting on your obedience before giving you a new direction. It may be that
there is unconfessed sin in your life or that you have a damaged relationship
(Isaiah 1:15;1 Peter 3:7). It is possible that you have done too much talking
in your prayer times and that He wants you to listen. God's silences can be
powerful times for Him to communicate with you.
God is God!
Because He is God, when He speaks, He expects a listening ear and an eager
response. He will not be mocked! (Galatians 6:7). When we ignore Him, He may
withhold His voice until we repent and get right with Him. The prophet Isaiah
assured King Asa, “The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek
Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.”
- Excerpt from
“Experiencing God Day-By-Day” by Henry and Richard Blackaby