World Food Day

Today would have been my father's 93rd birthday. He's been gone now for nearly 9 years, but he'll never be forgotten. His was not an easy life; working for the coal mines of Eastern Kentucky didn't make him wealthy. But one thing is certain: We were never hungry. Through his hard work we always had plenty of food.

The same can't be said for people in many parts of the world. True, some don't have enough because they don't work hard, but that doesn't explain most of the world's hunger. In places like Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, food supplies are shrinking because of the Ebola outbreak. In other places drought has decimated crops. In war-torn countries, it's not safe to get out to garden or to even go to market.

Since 1945, October 16 has been celebrated as "World Food Day" (established by the United Nations) to draw attention to the needs of people throughout the world. It's hard for many of us to understand chronic hunger. But occasions like this at least make me pause and try to understand.

Imagine this hypothetical scenario: people starving, even though food is within their reach. They simply refuse to eat what is before them! Would that not be a tragedy?

In Amos 8:11, God spoke of dark days ahead for Israel. Earlier statements in this book show that the people had turned a deaf ear to God. Commands He had given to them - for their good - were ignored or rejected. Soon they would pay a dear price for their obstinance.

Here's what God said through the prophet: "'Behold, the days are coming,' says the Lord God, 'That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord" (Amos 8:11).

Such a prediction wouldn't frighten some. But it should. The words of the Lord are vital for us. Jesus taught this: "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). Life comes from the words of the Lord? That's the claim He made.

In that passage some turned away from following Jesus because they were offended by things He said. But not Peter: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:68). Peter knew the importance of this spiritual food.

On World Food Day let us remember the millions who suffer chronic hunger, and do what we can to help. But may we especially give thought to the food our souls need. And let us develop healthy habits of partaking of what God has placed before us.

Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you'd like to discuss these ideas further.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Timothy D. Hall