Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David inquired of the Lord. And the Lord answered, “It is because of Saul and his bloodthirsty house, because he killed the Gibeonites.” 2 Samuel 21:1 NKJV

Jesus healed the sick; raised the dead, casted out devils; fed the multitudes; and, He is still going about doing good—now (Acts 10:38). God is a “Right Now God.” He is the answer to every problem, supply to every need, fulfillment of every desire, the provision that includes every provision, and the greater that includes the lesser. But is there is a way to experience these things now?  Yes, by seeking the face of God, i.e., seeking the presence of the Lord.

When there was a famine in the days of David, he sought the presence of the Lord (inquired), and the Lord answered that it was because Saul had massacred the Gibeonites, whom Joshua and the leaders of Israel had swore an oath not to ever do (Jos. 9). There is always a reason for a famine. Just like God told Solomon, “when I shut up heaven and there is no rain, . . . if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, . . . then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:13, 14). A shut up heaven when there is no rain spells a famine in the land (Amos 8:11).

A spiritual famine is an acute shortage; experiencing the lack of any good in life, e.g., health and well-being, employment, finances, relationships, getting your prayers answered; any kind of lack or depravation. David experienced three years of unabated famine. Why? Well, David didn’t do anything about it for three years. Have you noticed how long you can go before you do something about your famine? What do you do about the famine in your life? First, look at what you’re not doing about it. Are you acting like a victim in the face of famine? Are you blaming God and others? You must make the first move because you’re responsible for your famine (Gen. 1:26; 2 Cor. 5:17; Col. 1:13).

David sought the presence of the Lord (Ps. 16:11). He didn’t pray for rain or seek rain; he didn’t register for a class or a “how to” workshop or seminar; nor, did he attend a special conference (Prov. 8:17, 35). He inquired of the Lord—he sought the presence of the Lord.

In your famine, whatever it may be, don’t seek what God has—seek God Himself. For example, God doesn’t give health, wealth, or peace, etc. God is!  Jesus told the Jews who were following Him only for the fish and the loaves, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). Jesus didn’t say that he had bread; He said that He was bread! The answer to famine is not rain, but God. Whatever you need, don’t seek the thing; seek God because God is (Heb. 11:6).  The answer to famine is God!