Famine

It is winter here in the northern hemisphere but south of the equator it is hot . . . and wet. Flooding in Indonesia has killed 1,500 people and most are struggling to survive.

"It has never been like this in Sibolga before," said the 28-year-old, who waited at the state-owned rice warehouse in neighbouring Sarudik with her parents.

"There is no food, the money has run out, there are no jobs. How can we eat?" she said.

Meanwhile in the U.S. it's -2° outside (Thursday morning in Waupaca) and our rivers and lakes are frozen. Still dangerous, but manageable.

Imagine being totally cut off with no food or money. Hope would be running low. The Israelites faced similar struggles back in the day. Famine was a very real thing, even in "The Promised Land."

If you've got your Bible handy open it to the book of Ruth.

"In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land." - Ruth 1:1

Elimelech and Naomi moved to a different country because there was no food in Israel.

Imagine if there was no food. At all. What would you do? Would you move to a different country? And what would you do for work once you got there? What kind of shelter would you live in?

We are SO blessed in this country. No wonder everyone wants to come here. Life is easy compared to the rest of the world. But what would happen if suddenly there was no food here?

We have deer and squirrels that frequent our yard. Do I have enough ammo? Is my aim any good? How do you gut a deer? You get the idea.

In Revelation 13 John writes about a "Beast" who "causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, ¹⁷so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name." - Revelation 13:16-17

We must pledge allegiance to the Antichrist in order to buy food. And there will be nowhere we can move to get any.

If you subscribe to a Pre-Tribulation rapture, there is nothing to worry about. We'll be gone. But if you're a mid-trib or post-trib believer you surely will be losing some weight. Unless you cave in to tiur stomach's growling and take "The Mark."

"For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Thessalonians 5:9

Seems pretty clear to me.

Father, we pray for those in Indonesia who are without food, money, shelter, and the ability to work. They are struggling to survive. You are a mighty and powerful God. You parted the Red Sea so your people could move to a different place. Make the flood waters recede. May your name be forever praised. Amen.