We Have A Different Kind Of Famine

In John Christopher’s 1956 novel, “No Blade Of Grass,” a destructive virus attacks the grasses of the world. In a matter of months, the world is plunged into famine along with its brutal companion, violence. People begin by fighting, then killing for food.

The novel depicts a scene that has been lived out in the real world in recent famines, and is terrifying when seen on various television news networks. Unless we have experienced true famine first-hand, we can only imagine what it’s like.

Today, we have a different kind of famine. The prophet Amos called it a famine of “hearing the words of the Lord” (Amos 8:11). While a lack of food can lead to disease and death, a famine of the Word can produce eternal consequences (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

Without access to God’s Word, we lack wisdom for life and the message of eternal life in Christ (Jeremiah 10:23; 1 Peter 1:3-4). As Christians, we need “the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). We should identify with the prophet when he said, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart” (Jeremiah 15:16).

Brethren, the world is starving for God’s truth (John 17:17). He alone can satisfy the spiritual needs of the human heart. Let’s help fill their hearts by sharing His Word today! (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets