There is no doubt that one of the strongest motivating forces in life
is hunger! No matter how tired we might be, hunger will compel many of
us resting on a comfortable couch to rise up and make our way enthusiastically
toward the refrigerator. In fact, folks will do things for food they won't
do for any other reason! I remember one day in elementary school, during
lunch break in the cafeteria, when my craving for a fudgesicle drove me
to agree to swallowing a big spoon of mustard before a friend would give
me a quarter to buy one for myself. Though I despised mustard and she
knew it, I submitted to her demands only to find myself too nauseated
to eat the fudgesicle I had been persuaded by desire to earn! Can you
ever remember a time when you experienced a strong need or desire for
food? Intense cravings such as these reduce our pride and humble us in
a way that nothing else can…
Genesis 41:53-57
And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were
ended. And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph
had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt
there was bread. And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people
cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go
unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do. And the famine was over all the
face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto
the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. And all
countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the
famine was so sore in all lands.
Again we find through these events that God's Word is sure! The seven
years of plenty that had been foretold in Pharaoh's dream had passed and
the seven years of famine were now beginning. Famine has a way of bringing
us to the place where we realize that our sufficiency is not in ourselves.
Such was the case with the Egyptians who were experiencing dearth in all
the land. As their hunger grew, their pride dwindled and they were driven
to Pharaoh's feet begging for bread. This is precisely where the Lord
intended them to go, for Pharaoh confidently pointed them to Joseph, he
being a type of Christ who opened up all the storehouses and had plenty
enough for all who came.
Ladies, where do your hunger pains take you when you are experiencing
a famine? Do you have someone in your life that can point you in the right
direction, in the way of nourishing food? Suffering extreme hunger is
a humbling process, for it causes us to consume that which we would normally
not take in, that which was rejected before. It is then that we find what
was once considered distasteful becomes delicious and satisfying! Such
as truth… Yes, spiritual famine is just as powerful as physical famine.
Being in want reveals to us the true condition of our hearts. If our hearts
are pure, suffering famine in our lives should drive us to the Lord and
His Word for grace to help in time of need. But if our hearts are filled
with sin and selfishness, we will have no appetite for spiritual food…
By the way, what have you been eating lately?
Deut. 8:3
And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna,
which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make
thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that
proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
Scripture is clear that fulfillment is found in the Lord, yet how many
of us live as if that were not so? Many of God's people go days at a time
without digesting the scriptures! The young babes in Christ go without
drinking of the milk of the Word and the older saints go without chewing
on the meat of the Word. Therefore, we are an unhealthy lot - none of
us maturing in our spiritual life at all! Like the prodigal son, we foolishly
choose to perish of hunger in the places we live. We turn our noses up
at the convicting smell of the truth and refuse to eat that which will
make us strong in the Lord. If we don't watch out, God is going to send
a famine our way!
Amos 8:11
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in
the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing
the words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from
the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word
of the Lord, and shall not find it.
Ladies, a famine of the Word of God is the heaviest judgment. Are you
famished for the Word of God today? If people are not interested in what
the Lord has to say, God will grant folks their desire and discontinue
providing them with a hearty meal from His Word. Are you starving for
true bread? If God has to take away your bread to build your desire, He
will! Christians who find themselves in non-compromising, Bible preaching
churches ought to be thankful for the banquet of truth God prepares for
them there. Are you willing to travel as far as necessary to receive solid
nourishment for your soul? Satisfaction is guaranteed when the appetite
is right. There is nothing quite like the power of hunger pains!
Matthew 5:6
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they
shall be filled.
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2003