6月21日

標　　題：靈性的饑荒

經　　節：主耶和華說：日子將到，我必命饑荒降在地上。人饑餓非因無餅，乾渴非因無水，乃因不聽耶和華的話。（阿摩司書八章11節）

神有時候對我們沉默不語。以色列人明目張膽地忽視和拒絕神對他們所說的話，於是，神命令饑荒降在地上，這個饑荒遠比食物及水的短缺還嚴重。他們被剝奪不得聽見神生命的話語。

神剛開始沉默的時候，你可能很難注意到祂的沉默。你可能依稀記得過去神對你所說的話，然而，你慢慢會領悟到，自己有一段很長的時間不再聽見神的聲音。倘若你發覺自己正處於「乾旱」，你要立即尋求神，求祂調整你的生活，好讓你再次享受與祂相交的喜樂。也許上回你曾不順服神的命令，因此祂在給你新方向以前，先等待你順服下來。也許是你生命中有尚未悔改的罪，或是你有破裂的人際關係（以賽亞書一：15；彼得前書三：7）。有可能你在禱告的時候，話說得太多，而祂要你去聆聽。神的沉默可以成為一段祂與你相交、大有能力的時光。

神就是神！因為祂是神，當祂開口發言的時候，祂期待你有能聽的耳，並且能熱切地回應。祂是輕慢不得的（加拉太書六：7）。當我們忽視祂，祂可能會閉口不言，直到我們悔改，並與祂的關係恢復正常。先知亞撒利雅向亞撒王保證：「你們若順從耶和華，耶和華必與你們同在；你們若尋求祂，就必尋見；你們若離棄祂，祂必離棄你們。」（歷代志下十五：2）

Spiritual Famine

"Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord GOD, "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." (Amos 8:11)

One way God communicates is through silence. The Israelites blatantly ignored and rejected God's word to them, and God responded by sending a famine. This famine was far more severe than a shortage of food and water. Instead, they were deprived of His words of life.

God's silence may be hardly noticeable at first. You may still remember times when God spoke to you, but you gradually realize you've not heard His voice for a long time. If you realize you are in a "drought," immediately seek God and ask Him what adjustments your life requires so you can once again enjoy fellowship with Him. It may be that you disobeyed His last instructions to you and that He is waiting on your obedience before giving you a new direction. It may be that there is unconfessed sin in your life or that you have a damaged relationship (Isa. 1:15;_1 Pet. 3:7). It is possible that you have done too much talking in your prayer times and that He wants you to listen. God's silences can be powerful times for Him to communicate with you.

God is God! Because He is God, when He speaks He expects a listening ear and an eager response. He will not be mocked! (Gal. 6:7). When we ignore Him, He may withhold His voice until we repent and get right with Him. The prophet Isaiah assured King Asa, "The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you."