Spirit and Truth

We have a spiritual famine the magnitude of which we have never experienced to date. So for just a moment, we will consider the similarities of physical and spiritual famine. Famine rears its ugly head in the physical through weather patterns such as droughts, prolonged periods of intensive temperatures, and sometimes by flooding that destroys crops. During these times, water sometimes becomes scarce and even rationed. Vegetation often dries up from lack of moisture. Also, fruits and vegetables are small and not abundant, thus food prices escalate. In third world nations, famine is the end result of lack of cultivation knowledge, and seeds for planting. With this in mind, we will compare the significance of spiritual famine.

We as Christians must be ever conscious that Satan stands at every corner that we turn, waiting and watching for an opportunity to defeat us. Today, many Christians for varied reasons have become complacent and ritual becomes the calling card for far too many. Once we have fallen into this routine, we are an easy mark for Satan and his ghouls. At first glance, it is often difficult to determine what level of famine one might be experiencing. A mild spiritual drought normally signals a Christian who has gone into burnout. This happens frequently when we take too many responsibilities upon ourselves, and neglect the reading of God's Word for spiritual food. Inevitably, we must step back and reassess our priorities. God requires service from His servants, but He does not expect us to neglect our physical and spiritual body in an effort to be all things to all people all the time. God does not require sacrifice to the point of excluding our main objective, which is intimacy with the Father, combined with praise, worship and obedience that is due Him.

Next we find Christians who for reason known only to God, have one trial after another. As Christians, we expect some persecution and attacks from our enemy. During these times, we must stand steadfast and ready to engage in Spiritual warfare. Trials are never pleasant, but with each one we grow stronger and more equipped for the kingdom. We must never give into the lies and ploys of Satan, for then we reap defeat and heartache. There are varied reasons why some of us repeatedly find ourselves in trying situations and trials. For some of us, trials are in essence a time of Spiritual famine. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. When this happens it is never easy to cope with the question 'why me?' that plagues our minds. We feel as though God has forsaken us, let us down, or is in some way punishing us. It is as though the Springs of Living Waters have suddenly dried up, and that desert heat is overwhelming us. If we cannot get a grip on our emotions, it does not take long for us to find ourselves in Spiritual famine. God has never promised to answer every question (at least not until we get to Heaven), because He alone in His Wisdom and Glory holds all the answers. So for many of us, we must hold on and ride out the storm, rather then trying in our own wisdom to know all the answers.

There are reasons why some people just cannot make it through the maze of trial. One of the main reasons that this occurs, is simply a self-inflicted trial that stems from lack of repentance, hidden or unknown sin, and stubborn rebellion. When Sin stands between God and us, we cannot expect God to hold our hand and walk us through situations that we have created by disobedience. But be aware, that He is standing on the side watching over us. Too often, Satan is given credit for our trials when in reality we are to blame. When famine is apparent the first thing we must do is go to our prayer closet and listen to the still small voice of God. If we cannot hear Him, then repentance is in order.

Trials and temptations are faith builders. If we look at each troublesome situation through His Light, we are more apt to realize the good in any situation. Many times we tend to go through trials with the 'woe is me' syndrome which is always counterproductive. Instead of having this attitude, we must praise and worship Him in the bad times, as well as the good times. The truth is that none of us are perfect and that at one time or another we all need a purging by the Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who prepares us for a deeper relationship with God by showing us the dross that we must put off from us. Whatever the reason for the trying times, we must have a strong faith to carry us through us the raging storms that without a doubt come upon all of us at some point in our existence.

Today, many fear that if God's people do not get up and get out of their comfort zone of 'lethargy' and compromise and reclaim their first love, then Spiritual famine and decay will spread like a cancer throughout the Body of Christ. If Pastors do not stand up for the Truth and stop watering down His Word (in the name of not offending their congregations), then the BODY of Christ will suffer much. Deception (which always comes from Satan) is rampant. So many Christians, who were once on fire for Jesus, have now turned aside and bought into Satan's evil lies. Thousands now lie spiritually dead and defeated in the sewers of false religions and serve false gods. In the name of compromise they have chosen to disbelieve that Jesus was born of a virgin, that He arose from the grave and that He is coming again.

Spiritual famine rears its ugly head and taunts the hearers; blinds those who can no longer see the real Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The tares have infiltrated the wheat fields and time marches on, but payday is coming. The fields of the world are white unto harvest, but where are the reapers? Where are the real Christians who were called to serve and to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ? How many of those have swerved off the path and fallen into the ditch, thus leaving only the 'few' to do as He commanded all of His to do?

Matthew 13:24-30
 Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field. But while men slept, His enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto Him, Sir, didn't You sow good seed in Your field, from whence then has it tares? He said unto them, An enemy has done this. The servants said unto Him, do You will then, that we go and gather them up? But He said, No, lest while you gather up the tares, you root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather you together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into My barn.

When the time has come to stand before God and to be tried by fire, will the dross be filled with Famine? Judgment begins in the house of the Lord. It is high time we give the Holy Spirit His liberty. Jesus is looking for a spotless Bride, and we know that without His righteousness this can not happen. He has called us to be a holy people; a Bride that is sold out for her Husband. She is supposed to be a Bride who is striving to be all She can be for Him. She also is meant to be a Bride who has not compromised God's Word, but shuns and turns away the wickedness of this world. She is a Bride who loves Him with every beat of her heart and every breath that she takes. But beware that the Famine is spreading even now to the Bride. There is something wrong with this picture, it is out of focus and the edges are frayed and dirty. He will not come for a Bride whose gowns are spotted with Sin, whose ways are not in line with His commands. (Matthew 7: 21) 'Not EVERYONE that says unto Me, 'Lord, Lord', will enter into the kingdom of heaven; only he that does the will of My Father which is in heaven.

Spiritual famine is spreading all across the world. What will it take for the famine to cease? Who will stand tall and strong in this perverse time of sin and degradation? Who will be willing to plant the seeds of salvation, to stop the downward spiral the Church now finds Herself in? These are grave questions that we must all ask ourselves. God sits on the Throne and Jesus at the right hand of the Father. But would God dare look at Jesus right now and say, 'Go now and bring Your Bride home', when She is not yet arrayed in pure white (spiritually) and the candles are not burning?

What will it take to open the eyes of those who no longer see clearly, whose spiritual ears have been plugged with the ways of the world, and who prostitute all that is holy? Do we in vain wait for His coming? I think not! He has promised and He will fulfil His plan. But sadly, many that comprise the Bride will find that the famine has striped away their garments, leaving them naked and ashamed before Him. Without a garment, how will one enter into the Marriage Supper of the Lamb?

Weeping, wailing, and tears of regret are the end result of Spiritual Famine. Choose you this day whom you will serve!

Pray that the Lord of the Harvest will send forth laborers to work in His fields that are ripe unto harvest. And after you pray, say, "Here I am Lord, send me." Tara Hart © 2003