Yesterday we checked out the words of the soothsayer Amos who expected a famine—not one of hunger for literal food or for water. Amos foresaw a famine for hearing God’s truth announced.
“Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD,. Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water,. But rather for hearing the words of the LORD. They’ll go to and fro to find the word of the LORD,. But they won’t find it.” ( Amos 8:11-12 ). Unless you are an exception and you end up under the sound of trustworthy, pointed, deep, and bold proclamations of God’s written Word week after week, you may admit that you’re in the middle of that famine.
Whether you realize it or not, the toll it is taking on you and those you like is just devastating. Let’s recommit ourselves to breaking that famine.
First, pray that God will force a resurrection in the hearts of His people—a revival of interest in the private reading and studying of His Word. Pray for seminaries where God’s ministers are being trained to handle and declare the Truth. Pray for your pastor—for adequate time to be spent in the study, preparing. And then for bravery to “preach the Word” with authority.
Infrequently do congregations get more serious about spiritual things than their priest, so pray for a renewing of fervour. 2nd , start to nourish yourself in the Scriptures.
Get serious about “fixing your own religious meals” instead of depending on some other person to prepare all those meals for you. Don’t allow yourself to be happy with non secular fast food served by shallow, slipshod communicators. Third, consider beginning a Bible class in your own house. Nice things can happen in settings like that. There’s a large amount of non secular nourishment to be gained in groups committed to learning and growing together.