How many Bibles do you own? The average American Household has three. Add the internet availability of Bible apps and we suffer no lack of access to scriptures. How often do you read the Bible? Only one third of Bible owners say they read it every day. We are more likely to own a Bible than to read it. Therein lies the problem.
Amos brought a word from God but the religious leader Amaziah and the people of the Northern kingdom did not want to hear it. Then Amos predicted a day when they would want to hear from God but would be unable to discern his message. There would be a famine not for food or water but for a word from God. Amos was not talking about scriptural scrolls. Remember, the people of the capital of Samaria were very religious. But they were not willing to hear what God had to say.
We may think this could never happen in our country and our time, but we would be wrong. God speaks through his word only to those who read and listen. What do you think God is saying to you, me, our church and our world today?
I once preached a revival in Ivanhoe, Texas near the Red River just south of Oklahoma. Not only did I love the book Ivanhoe, but my best man and best friend, Wayne Gray, was the pastor of the church. I remember the revival for two reasons. First, we had a tornado warning and a hailstorm that covered the ground with a few inches of hail. It left permanent reminders on my Ford Fairmont. Second, we sang a song by Andre Crouch that week. “We need to hear from you. We need a word from you. If we don’t hear from you, what will we do? Wanting you more each day, show us your perfect way. There is no other way that we can live.”
How many Bibles do we need? Just one. Start every day with a Psalm. Then rest your head on the pillow of scripture letting it be the last word you hear each day. With all of our Bibles, we may still someday find ourselves in a place of needing a message from God. Let’s ask God to speak while we can still hear him. Pray that he brings revival in our day.
