““Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God, “When I will send hunger over the land, Not hunger for bread or a thirst for water, But rather [a hunger] for hearing the words of the Lord. People shall stagger from sea to sea [to the very ends of the earth] And from the north even to the east; They will roam here and there to seek the word of the Lord [longing for it as essential for life], But they will not find it. In that day the beautiful virgins And [even the vigorous] young men shall faint from thirst.”
Amos 8:11-13 AMP
We’re in a drought. Physically our land is in desperate need of rain. My parent’s land is so dry that dust stirs when we walk. The pond is down probably 5 feet. Round bales are at an all time high – $150 a bale, and farmers are waiting in long lines at the auction to thin – or completely sell – their herds. There’s no rain in the forecast at all. Burn bans surround our county and those around us.
Thinking back to Elijah, he prophesied no rain for 3 years. Imagine what we are going through lasting 3 long years. The drought was a sign of judgment on the land. G-d was trying to get the attention of His people.
Could it be like that today? I might be over dramatic – I’ve been accused of that my entire life – but I can’t help but wonder if G-d is speaking to us as He withholds rain. After all – rain is a sign of revival, revival the church cries out for.
In Amos, we read about G-d sending a hunger to the people. It’s like a spiritual drought of sorts. In a physical drought, animals are desperate for water, crops die, food becomes scarce.
Over the weekend, our spiritual mentor talked about the key to revival. It’s simple actually. Revival starts with hunger. Hunger for G-d, for His presence, for His Word. A desperation of sorts they drives us to Him. A longing that only He can satisfy. We just can’t get enough so we keep going back to Him – immersing ourselves in Him.
If we truly want corporate revival, it must start with us first. The seed of revival is hunger – if you’re hungry, it’s a sign He’s working. Do you feel it? Is it driving you?
He promises to send a hunger to His people. It’s what I’m asking for today. I told my mentor that the hunger he’s felt for over 50 years of following The Way is a gift. He doesn’t have to force it. It just exists. And the more he knows of G-d, the more he wants to spend time with him. He’s just not satisfied.
It’s the gift I am asking Him for today – a impartation of the gift of hunger for Him above all things. More of Him. Less of me. Always.
Father – thank You for Your Word and Your presence. Thank You for drawing and teaching me. Thank You for conviction. Give me a hunger for You. Deepen the longing. Drive out the distractions. Send a hunger to me. Send a hunger to Your people. You are good and You keep doing good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: Amos 5-9
July 12, 2022