Wednesday’s 333 Devotional: “Feast or Famine”

In Nehemiah chapter 8 we’re introduced to what God’s word can do when read and understood.

After the work on the wall was completed, the Jews were hungry. But they didn’t call for a feast with food and drink; instead, they were hungry for God’s word.

They gathered as one and asked Ezra to read from the book of the Law, and they listened intently while standing from sunrise to noon. And if that wasn’t enough, afterward the Levites instructed them upon its meaning.

Once they heard and understood God’s word they wept and mourned realizing their sinfulness before a holy and righteous God. But instead of bringing grief, it brought great joy, and in this joy, they were strengthened.

The prophet Jeremiah knew such joy at hearing and understanding God’s word.

“Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart.” (Jeremiah 15:16)

Unfortunately, this is not found within our society or within the church. People are starving for answers to the difficulties and problems of life, but they’re unable to find them because there is a famine, not for food or water, but a famine for God’s word.

It’s sad to see how few Christians pick up their Bibles to find God’s perspective on life along with the answers to the problems they face.

The Lord talked about the effects of such a famine.

“Behold, the days are coming that I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord, but shall not find it.” (Amos 8:11-12)

Our desire for God’s word determines our spiritual health. Will we feast on God’s word and find joy for our soul, or will we suffer from spiritual malnutrition and famine?