Text: Psalm 107:31–34
31 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
33 He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;
34 A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
DRY WELLS AND EMPTY ALTARS
Memory Verse: 1 Samuel 3:1 “And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.”
Spiritual famine is a deep hunger of the soul that arises when the presence, power, and joy of God are missing from one’s life. It is not the absence of physical food, but the absence of divine fellowship. When the Word of God becomes rare and spiritual vision grows dim, it is a sign that wickedness, unbelief, or disobedience has filled the land or the heart.
Psalm 107:31–34 reminds us that when people turn from righteousness, the fruitful land becomes barren, a symbol of spiritual emptiness. This famine is not caused by lack of sermons or Bibles, but by hearts that no longer tremble at God’s Word.
Sin is the foremost cause of this separation. In Isaiah 59:1–4, the Bible declares that: “The LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated between you and your God.” Sin blocks the flow of divine communication and makes heaven seem silent.
Envy, unbelief, and blasphemy can also lead to spiritual drought. In Acts 13:46, Apostle Paul and Barnabas rebuked those who rejected the Word, saying, “Seeing ye put it from you… lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” When a person repeatedly resists the truth, the Word ceases to speak to them. Matthew 10:14 warns that rejecting divine truth invites spiritual abandonment.
Another cause is spiritual distraction, being too busy with worldly pursuits to hear the Holy Spirit. The Spirit may still speak, but our hearts grow too noisy to hear Him. Likewise, when we drift toward false doctrines or ungodly influences, we disconnect from the voice of the true Shepherd. You can only hear from the altar to which your soul is submitted.
It is a dangerous condition to be physically satisfied but spiritually starved. The spiritual realm governs the physical; therefore, neglecting your spirit opens the door for defeat. Spiritual malnutrition weakens discernment, dulls prayer life, and invites oppression.
Guard your spirit with diligence. Feed daily on God’s Word, fellowship in prayer, and stay filled with the Holy Spirit. Spiritual famine ends where sincere repentance and hunger for God begin.
COVENANT GATE HYMNALS 29: SS&S 642: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD
- When we walk with the Lord in the light of his Word
What a glory he sheds on our way
While we do his good will, he abides with us still
And with all who will trust and obeyTrust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey
- Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies
But his smile quickly drives it away
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh nor a tear
Can abide while we trust and obey
- Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share
But our toil he doth richly repay
Not a grief nor a loss, not a frown or a cross
But is blest if we trust and obey
- But we never can prove the delights of his love
Until all on the altar we lay
For the favor he shows, and the joy he bestows
Are for them who will trust and obey
- Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at his feet
Or we will walk by his side in the way
What he says we will do, where he sends we will go
Never fear, only trust and obey
Today’s Prayer
- Father, I repent of every sin, distraction, or unbelief that has created distance between You and me. Restore my hunger for Your presence, in Jesus’ name.
- Lord, open my spiritual ears to hear Your voice clearly. Let every barrier to divine communication be broken by the power of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name.
- Heavenly Father, revive my spirit and fill me afresh with Your Word and power. Let every trace of spiritual dryness be replaced with divine fire and fresh revelation, in Jesus’ name.
