According to one report, about 4 million homes and businesses in Texas were without electricity last week. Others say the actual number of affected customers was much larger. During the crisis, it was encouraging to see so many serving others and offering kindness. As we move towards a greater focus on cleanup and repair, many will no doubt have work to do for quite a long time. Throughout the icy weather, many families experienced rolling blackouts. Situations like these can change the way people choose to look at everyday occurrences. We are reminded all over again how truly remarkable it is to have light or heat at the press of a button. We become more appreciative of many blessings we once took for granted.
Amos prophesied sometime around the eighth century B.C. when the people of Israel had grown complacent and wicked. They did not appreciate God and did not respect His instructions. The Lord chose the shepherd from Tekoa to serve as His mouthpiece. Amos journeyed north and proclaimed the guilt of Israel. Part of his message concerned a sort of “spiritual blackout.” Among the many physical aspects of God’s judgment on Israel, Amos also declared a famine “of hearing the words of the Lord” (Amos 8:11). Consider how this is so much worse than a famine of bread. As Jesus quoted in the wilderness, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4). What a sad state, to go day by day without the words of eternal life (John 6:66-68)!
What if God gave us a rolling blackout? Today, we have greater access to God’s word than at any other time in human history. We have paperback Bibles at the dollar store, to say nothing of the many groups that would give you one for free. We have printed copies of God’s word in hundreds of different languages. We have access to free online Bible websites, apps, and audio recordings. We have millions of videos of sermons, classes, and Bible studies that are waiting just a few clicks away on YouTube. Imagine if all these things were suddenly gone, like a house going dark on a winter night. Would we look at God’s word differently? And once they came back online, would we place a greater value on Bible study?
What an incredible blessing it is to have all things pertaining to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3). The word of the Lord strengthens us to restrain sinfulness in our lives (Psa 119:11; 1 Cor 9:23-27; Eph 6:10-11). His commandments lead us in the fulfilling work of bearing fruit for the kingdom (Psa 1:1-3; Col 1:9-10; 2 Pet 1:5-8). His promises offer encouragement, speaking of our inheritance and eternal abode (John 14:1-4; Eph 1:17-21; Col 1:3-6). The truth of the Bible provides hope and equips us to defend that confident expectation of good (2 Tim 3:16-17; 1 Pet 3:15). It would be foolish to neglect this gift. Seek it, lay hold of it, search it out, and plant it in your heart (Prov 23:23; Matt 13:44; Jam 1:21). Let us renew our appreciation for God's truth today so that we may walk in the light (1 Jn 1:7)!
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