Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Feast or Famine?
Today's Verse:
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. ~Jeremiah 15:16
What does the word "famine" conjure up in your mind? We live such prosperous and comfortable lives in this country that the idea of a famine does not phase us. However, in its context, a famine represents a time where there is a scarcity of food, water, and serious economic decline. A famine can have a serious effect on people over an extended period of time. It results in deprivation, decline, death, and desperation. This morning, we are considering the consequences of a spiritual famine and how we can survive and thrive in the midst of one.
There is the symbol of a famine.
Spiritually, a famine represents a serious decline in one’s spiritual life. It pictures a spiritual life that has been deprived of its necessary spiritual nourishment. The soul life is famished and lean. It has suffered from a long duration of no rain, no growth, no food, and no water. Spiritually, when we are not reading our Bible, praying consistently and for long durations, missing a lot of preaching services, not witnessing, and not serving the Lord, we place ourselves into a state of a spiritual famine. Our soul life dries up and becomes emaciated. Famines are bad and result in severe weakness and lifelessness.
There is the source of the famine.
Famines occur because of neglect. Famines occur because of disobedience. The nation of Judah was going through a famine in the land. God told the Hebrews years before that as long as they loved Him and did not worship false idol gods, He would bless their crops, food, and water supply. However, if they turned away from the Lord and worshiped idol gods, God would send a famine to chasten them. Jeremiah 14 describes the complexity of the suffering that the Hebrews experienced because of disobedience and idol worship. God allowed a famine by stopping the rain which led to parched ground and zero crops. The Jews had no one to blame but themselves for the famine.
There is the starvation from the famine.
Starvation is one of the worst things to experience. No water, no crops, no food, and no privileges. Food was running out! The rationing of food, water, and supplies became a standard. The entire landscape was scorched with brown-covered land and hills because of no rain. Are you going through a spiritual famine in your life? Have you cut off your access from the strengthening resource of God’s Word and time in prayer with Him? Is a famine taking away your spiritual life, vitality, and vision?
There is the survival from the famine.
Can you survive a famine? Yes, you can! Jeremiah was affected by the famine, but he made a key discovery that sustained him and gave him long-term survival. “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” In the midst of decline, discouragement, and death, Jeremiah discovered the life-sustaining power of God’s Word! He got back to God’s Word. He started to search the Scriptures again because in them is life. He began feasting on God’s precepts, promises, and priorities for his life. He was revived and got back the joy in his life. He broadcasted his identity as being the Lord’s chosen vessel. He sat at the spiritual banqueting table and ate to his soul’s delight. While others around him languished, he survived the famine in the land.
Don’t allow a famine to deplete and defeat you. Get back to spending quality time in God’s Word, and consume it until the joy returns! Remember, it is either feast or famine.
Have a Word-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Job 38-39
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