In Times of Famine by Kim Potter

One day last week I received an email from a partner; in the subject line it said ‘famine.’

For several days that word would come up in my mind, I would see the subject line say ‘famine.’ Famine is defined in the Websters 1828 dictionary as scarcity of provision, want of necessary provision, and destitution. The Strong’s concordance defines it as to hungrily desire, to the point you twist or bend.

Whichever definition you choose, it is not a pleasant word. When I think of famine, I think of drought to the point that there are no crops producing – therefore there is a lack, an extreme lack of provision.

As I was praying for our partner over the weekend, the Lord gave me a couple of specific scriptures and told me to share them with him…in that particular order.

The first scripture is found in Job 5:22; “at destruction and famine you will laugh.”

This scripture clearly shows us how we are to respond or react to famine or the threat of famine. We shall laugh.

Proverbs 17:22 says in the Living Bible; “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” One of the things I notice about people who go through trials and challenges without laughter is that they have no strength left – they are simply worn out from the battle. They will often tell you that they are tired and weary. Laughter provides you with good medicine, which will strengthen you and the lack of laughter will take all your strength.

That being said, I don’t believe that is the main reason we are to laugh at destruction and famine. We are supposed to be like our Father, God. He laughs at the enemy, therefore, I believe we should as well.

Psalms 37:13 – “The Lord shall laugh at him: for he sees that his day is coming.”

Psalms 2:4 – “He that sits in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.”

How can we laugh at what the enemy says or does? We can laugh because we know the battle is already won, victory was ours at the cross. He can’t prevail against one who stands firm in faith, refusing to waver. So you see, God’s first instruction in times of famine…is to laugh.

The next scriptures God gave me are found in Genesis 26.

Genesis 26:1 says; “There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar.”

Genesis 26:12-13 says; “Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the Lord blessed him. The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous;”

Famines have been around since the beginning of time – yet these things do NOT move God and they should not move us. God shows us how to react to famine. We have heard taught that Isaac wanted to leave where he was because of the famine, but God told him to stay…and to sow…and God blessed him a hundredfold IN THE LAND OF FAMINE. God continued blessing him until he became very prosperous.

Today, I don’t know what area you find yourself in that you feel is not producing what you thought it would – I don’t know what your land of famine is, but this I do know, God can bless you there if you choose to sow in that land.

Ask God if you are to leave where you are (it may not be a physical place, it may be a job, a ministry, a situation) or if you are to remain where you are. If he keeps you there – he will bless you there. God is NO respecter of persons – what he did for Isaac, he will do for you – we see it all throughout the Bible. If you sow…in faith…from a cheerful, willing heart…in the land of famine…you shall reap. It’s his promise – lay hold of it today and prosper in the land of famine.

Always remember, your prosperity has absolutely nothing to do with the economy or what is going on in the world. Your prosperity has everything to do with the promises of God, the word of God and obeying what he says, nothing else. He is the Lord of your harvest, never forget that.