This world we live in is quite familiar with famines.

In the Bible, we read about the seven-year famine during the days of Joseph. During that time, only Egypt had plenty and it was because Pharaoh had enough sense to listen to God's man -- Joseph.

The scriptures also tell of a three-year famine in the days of David. "Then there was a famine in Samaria.

There have always been famines.

In some parts of the world there are famines right now. It is reported that one-third of the world goes to bed hungry every night. The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization reports that about 460 million people are at the brink of starvation daily. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 4 million people a year die of starvation.

And as bad as a famine for food is, I believe there is another kind of famine that is causing great distress on the world at this time.

This famine is not for food and water. The famine I am talking about is far worse than one for bread.

It is not for material substances.

It is not for pleasure.

It is not even a famine for religious activity. There is plenty of religious activity going on these days. In fact, there is an over-abundance of religious activity going on in the world today.

The famine I am speaking of is a famine for hearing the Word of God.

As in the days of the Prophet Amos, we are in a time when many who want to hear the Word proclaimed, but there are few places where it is being done. In the days of Amos, the prophets were either silent or dead; the house of the Lord was no longer visited by the Spirit of God; and the services of the Lord were as cold as the tomb.

What a sad and deplorable situation. And we cannot blame it on God. It is the people's fault. Our society has brought this famine upon itself.

We look for those who will preach what we want to hear; we look for those who will tickle our ears. When we find them, we are oh so smug as we sit in the pews and marvel at the flowery words flowing from the pulpits.

It has caused a great famine of the Word going forth as God purposed it to.

How much longer can we expect God to turn His head? We have outlawed the Bible, legalized abortion, let criminals go free, heckled, scoffed and discriminated against God.

When God withdraws, these same people will miss Him and want Him.

But by then, He may not wish to be found.