The Famine That Leads to Freedom

You may have heard the saying, there are no atheists in foxholes. That saying speaks to the idea that when in deep trouble, most people call on God for help. I have seen this same mentality across society, I put it this way, when folks are not lacking, they aren’t looking. Which means when times are good folks forget about our Lord and all He has done for us.

They say success is just as hard to survive as not having enough. When we have nothing, it’s easy to look to God for help. But when we have all we need and then some, we have a tendency to forget where it all came from. As Christ followers we must guard against a spirit of complacency and not forget whose we are and where we came from.

I guard against this heavily these days as we receive many complements from those around us for our work and accomplishments. Our stores are increasing, yet we must guard against pride. Paul put it best in Phil 4:11-13 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

On the back of Erica Enders-Stevens car is verse 13 of that scripture. As she won the K&N challenge and then took the Pro Stock crown in last weeks NHRA race in Las Vegas, the first words out of her mouth, after both victories, was to give God all the glory. Ask yourself this question today, Would I do the same?

Blessings

Today God is First
The Famine That Leads to Freedom
by Os Hillman

“Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.” – Genesis 42:2b

F. B. Meyer in his book, The Life of Joseph, describes a time in the life of the 12 sons of Jacob in which they were driven from their lives of self-satisfaction to an unlikely place to save their lives. Many years earlier they had thrown their youngest brother into a pit, then sold him into slavery. Thirteen years later he became the second most powerful person in Egypt. Now the world was experiencing a famine, and Joseph controlled all the stored grain of Egypt.

As long as the hills were green and the pastures clothed with flocks, as long as the valleys were covered over with corn and rang with the songs of reapers, Reuben, Simeon, and the rest of them would have been unconcerned and content. But when the mighty famine came, the hearts of these men were opened to conviction. Their carnal security was shattered. They were being prepared for certain spiritual experiences they would never have dreamed. And they were being prepared for the meeting with Joseph. This is how God deals with us; He breaks up our nest, He loosens our roots, He sends a mighty famine that cuts away the whole staff of bread. Then, at such times, weary, worn, and sad, we are prepared to confess our sins and receive the words of Christ when He says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:28).

A missionary once said, “There is a place where we will all be obedient.” Joseph was a type of Christ in the Old Testament. The famine was an event designed to bring the brothers to repentance and a saving knowledge, physically and spiritually. It created the circumstances that led to freedom for these men, for they had been in bondage to a wicked crime against their brother for many years. It was the forgiveness from Joseph that led to that freedom.

Is your life passing through a time of famine? Are your supplies limited? Is God leading you into directions that you would not normally seek? Perhaps this is God’s hand creating circumstances for His purposes. Now is the time to look attentively as He directs you to unlikely sources.