I remember at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a run on the grocery stores because the economic lockdown imposed to slow the spread of the virus meant that supply chains would be disrupted causing shortages of food and supplies. (We all remember the empty toilet paper aisles!) It’s easy to envision how even in a prosperous society like ours today that “famines” may still be possible.

In fact, the Bible foretells a time when a famine will occur even in a time of plenty:

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it. - Amos 8:11-12

I believe this prophesied time of famine is yet future, but is it possible that spiritual malnutrition is already a malady today? Are we actually receiving nourishment from God’s Word while it is still readily available all around us?

Physical Bibles can be found ubiquitously at locations as commonplace as Walmart, Target, and Dollar Tree. There are countless Bible apps for reading, listening, memorizing, note-taking for any language on any device. We can’t forget the free videos on YouTube, discourses on podcasts, programs on TV, and now even interactive discussions in Clubhouse. We are veritably drowning in free Bible content, but is it possible nonetheless to be spiritually starving?

During the pandemic, where the regular rhythmic functions of the church has been disrupted, have we neglected to feed on the Word of God for ourselves? There is coming a day when we will be called to give account for our faith when it will be deeply unpleasant and uncomfortable to do so. In that day, will we regret that we have wasted the opportunities to fortify our hearts and minds with Scripture?

The work which the church has failed to do in a time of peace and prosperity she will have to do in a terrible crisis under most discouraging, forbidding circumstances…This day is just before us.The members of the church will individually be tested and proved. They will be placed in circumstances where they will be forced to bear witness for the truth. Many will be called to speak before councils and in courts of justice, perhaps separately and alone. The experience which would have helped them in this emergency they have neglected to obtain, and their souls are burdened with remorse for wasted opportunities and neglected privileges. - 5T 463.2

Job and Jesus remind us poignantly of the importance of God’s Word, and we would do well to heed their admonitions:

I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. - Job 23:12

It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. - Matt. 4:4

We are encouraged to hear testimonies from our listeners who are seizing the moment to study the Word and to dig deeper into the message that we are called to proclaim to the world. Here’s one we recently received from Laura in Tennessee:

My women's Sabbath School class at church has been listening to Norman McNulty's, "Last Day Events Explained" series for the past 3 months. This has been such a remarkable series to follow and we have learned so much! The discussions have been priceless and gaining knowledge of the Bible and actually understanding a very difficult study has changed our lives. We have talked about this series to our other church members and families, and now the Men's Sabbath School class has decided to study the same series. AudioVerse has so many lectures, sermons and information for anyone out there that is willing to listen. I highly recommend AudioVerse to everyone!

At AudioVerse, we believe that the world is in need of the Everlasting Gospel, and our mission is to provide that Truth to as many as possible. But we have no pretentions that our ministry can do it alone. That’s why one of our goals is to equip God’s people like you to use YOUR influence to reach the souls around you. We pray that we can each have the courage to speak the Truth when we are called to testify for our Lord.

If you have been blessed by this ministry of the Word and want to help us continue providing “meat in due season” to the world, we invite you to partner with us financially today. You can give a one-time gift or become a recurring partner at our donate page here, or by check to our mailing address below.

Thank you and may we remain faithful to the Word!

Alistair Huong
Executive Director

AudioVerse | PO Box 2288 | Collegedale | TN 37315