A Dry & Thirsty Land
We recently brought before our attention the words of Amos in 8:11-14 in which he bewails a famine in his land. Not a famine of bread nor a thirst for water but of hearing the word of the Lord. Amos’s description of 8th century Israel is exactly the same as 21st century America. Man has not changed.
If knowledge of God is withheld, there is no solution to all the mysteries of the universe and life. If the Law of God is concealed, there is no sufficient guide through human life. If the Gospel of Christ is withheld there is no peace for the conscience, no assurance of immortality. If divine revelation is denied, there is no power sufficient to guide and to govern human society.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). So we need the Word of God. It furnishes us unto every good work. Paul says in verse 15 that the Scriptures make us wise unto salvation. They tell us about Christ, about the salvation that he offers – the facts, threats, commands, and promises.
The word is given to us by the inspiration of God. God, through the Holy Spirit, instructs men (Nehemiah 9:20). “However, You bore with them for many years, and admonished them by Your Spirit through Your prophets” (Neh. 9:30). When we read the Scriptures, we are reading what the Holy Spirit has to say to us. That is why John, inspired by that Holy Spirit, told the seven churches of Asia at the end of each letter, “He that has ears to hear, let him hear.” In 1 Corinthians 2:13, Paul declares that the things he taught were not in words of man’s wisdom, but in words which “the Holy Spirit teaches.”
A 2.5 Megawatt wind turbine will produce around 6.5 million connects of current per year, on viagra india pharmacy an average 1,400 households. Numerous online levitra landmark researches have demonstrated that chronic exposure to man made electromagnetic fields and radiation can lead to drastic changes in production time. The patient feels a sense of community he levitra generico uk is surrounded by support and fellowship. Therefore to escape our body parameters from all these threatening situations the medicament implementation is required that can bring on erectile buy sildenafil cheap dysfunction include anxiety, guilty or depression. So, the Bible – as it is – is adapted to man – as he is. “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul” (Psa. 119:130). Paul says that when we read, we can understand his knowledge – we can understand what we read (Ephesians 3:3-5). The word “is able to save your souls” (James 1:21). So the Bible is adapted to man’s intellect. The Bible challenges us mentally.
But the Bible is also adapted to man’s volition. Man has a will. God created him with that will and God allows him – even calls on him – to exercise that will. America is not lost because she cannot understand the will of God. America is suffering from spiritual thirst because America does not have the desire to do God’s will. The prodigal son did not arise and return to the father until after he said, “I will arise and go to my father…” (Luke 15:18).
Man also is an emotional creature. The Gospel also appeals to our hearts. God’s love causes us to love him in return (1 John 4:19). Faith works by love (Gal. 5:6). The Gospel appeals to us to love God with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength (Matt. 22:37).
When we give our hearts to the Lord, with all of our desires, we can say with Joshua, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (24:15). Believe the Gospel. Yield in humble obedience to it. Trust. Obey. Your life will be enriched and your days will be sweet. Your family and home life will be better. You’ll be safer from the temptations of Satan. Your opportunities for success in this life will be improved and you will have hope for the life that is to come.
–Paul Holland