Here’s the warning from Amos 8:11-12. “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “when 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. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the Lord, but they shall not find it.”

This does remind me of the church, at least the American church today. I can’t really speak to other places. Christians in America love to go to conferences.

People chase after teaching, but never come to the knowledge of truth.

The Scripture talks about them seeking for the Word of God. These aren’t people apathetic toward spiritual things. They are seeking, but they aren’t finding. What does that mean? They aren’t seeking the right thing.

We find our truth by finding the Truth. Jesus is the one we’re pursuing knowing. He is the Word made flesh. He is the Living Word. When we are getting to know the Word, we’re getting to know Jesus.

When we’re learning what other people say about God, we’re learning about God, hopefully, but that’s not the same as getting to know Him.

We need to know Him personally, intimately. You can’t do that by learning about someone. You have to sit down with them and spend time getting to know them.

Why would God send a famine for hearing the Word of the Lord? God gives people what they want. They didn’t want God’s word. They had it and they ignored it. The verse of the day was sufficient. They didn’t need more. They thought they didn’t need more. The teachers’ words were more satisfying to them.

Seek Jesus. Seek knowing Him in His Word. Tell Him you want to know Him. Ask for help knowing Him.