Thursday, December 12

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

"'The days are coming,' declares the Sovereign LORD,

   'when I will send a famine through the land—

not a famine for food or a thirst for water,

   but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.

Men will stagger from sea to sea

   and wander from north to East,

searching for the word of the LORD,

   but they will not find it." (Amos 8:11,12)

Despite living in Judah, Amos's prophecy focuses on the northern kingdom of Israel. While his book primarily references a given time and place, the situation described therein could happen anywhere.

In short, we may find ourselves hungry and thirsty for God's presence after rejecting Him out of our shared life as a community. Amos makes clear that Israel's leaders has prioritized their own comfort over justice. God grieved over their corruption and negligence, and He expresses a desire for justice for all people. May we honor His desire in our day.

More broadly, by rejecting justice and seeking their own good vs. that of the people, Israel's leaders had rejected God. In so doing, the "land" and its people became destitute, particularly for the Word of God. That poverty would well up into a separation from Him and despair.

We do know from many Biblical promises that God responds to those who earnestly seek Him. When His Word becomes less well-known in the land, however, seeking Him becomes more challenging. The land and its people lose hope, and love and joy suffer. Corruption and negligence of the truth become more prevalent.

While we might look to others as the antidote to this famine today, the search for hope begins with us. We can embrace God's Word and encourage others to do the same. We may pray for our governmental, corporate, and church leaders to seek God and His wisdom for their spheres of influence. And we can declare for our families, echoing Joshua 24:15: "But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." We may invite friends and family to participate in next year's Bible reading challenge, too!

Lord God, thank You for giving us the treasure of Your Word. Help us to wisely store it in our hearts and minds, and give us opportunity to encourage others to seek You in this day. Help us to set aside our families and homes to You. Guide our leaders in wisdom and humility, bringing them into alignment with Your will. Strengthen us with hope, love, and joy for this day. In Jesus's Name, amen.