Text: Ezekiel 10:18–19
18 Then the glory of the Lord departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims.
19 And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the Lord‘s house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.
SYMPTOMS OF SPIRITUAL FAMINE: Diminished Presence of God in the Church
Memory Verse: Psalm 51:11 “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.”
One of the gravest symptoms of spiritual famine is the diminishing presence of God in the midst of His people. When God’s presence departs, activities may continue, but life and power are gone. Churches may still sing, preach, and gather yet heaven is silent. The motions remain, but the Spirit has moved.
In Ezekiel 10:18–19, the prophet saw a tragic vision: “Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house…” God’s glory slowly withdrew from the temple because of the people’s idolatry, corruption, and disregard for holiness. The priests continued their rituals, but God was no longer there. That is the essence of spiritual famine form without fire, sound without substance.
When sin is tolerated and truth is compromised, the Holy Spirit grieves and withdraws. Isaiah 59:2 says, “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God.” The presence of God is not found where pride, worldliness, and self-promotion reign. Without His presence, preaching becomes powerless, worship becomes entertainment, and prayer becomes a routine.
A tree that is still standing tall but has lost its life looks alive for a while, but inside, it is dry and dying. Many churches today have impressive structures and programs but lack the living water of the Spirit. In Revelation 3:1, Jesus told the church in Sardis, “Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” The name and appearance were intact, but the presence was gone.
Moses understood the value of God’s presence when he said in Exodus 33:15, “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence”. He knew that no success or journey was worth taking without God’s glory. The presence of God distinguishes the church from every other gathering on earth. It is His presence that convicts sinners, heals the broken, and empowers believers.
Spiritual famine sets in when prayer is replaced with performance, and dependence on the Holy Spirit gives way to human wisdom. The remedy is repentance, humility, and a fresh hunger for God’s glory. When the altar is cleansed and hearts are broken before Him, His presence returns in fullness and fire.
COVENANT GATE HYMNALS 30: SS&S 902: MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS
- My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
- When darkness veils His lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
- His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay - When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
In Him, my righteousness, alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne
Today’s Prayer
- Lord, forgive us for every sin and pride that has driven Your presence away. Revive Your glory in Your church once more.
- Holy Spirit, restore the fire of Your presence in our midst. Let every service become a place of divine encounter.
- Father, visit every spiritually dry church around the world. Pour out Your Spirit again and let Your glory fill Your house.
