Fall 1989
A Call To Turn Aside
Wade E Taylor

"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.

Many consider this passage of Scripture to refer to a time during the latter days when it will become very difficult to proclaim the Word of the Lord. However, the famine that is spoken of in this passage of Scripture will not be the result of a lack of the "preaching" of the Word. The Word is being ministered in more Churches than ever before. It can be heard through radio, television, and tapes. Along with this, an abundance of Christian literature is available.

The "Letter" of the Word will continue to be readily available, but as a result of an increasing dearth of heart obedience to the Words of the Lord, there is a growing scarcity of the anointed "Spirit" of the Word that brings conviction and powerfully moves those who hear. There is a famine of the anointed, convicting, burning "Words of the Lord" that meets needs and changes lives.

The Laodicean church of Revelation 3:14-17 thought themselves to be "rich and increased in goods." However, the "Words of the Lord" that were spoken directly to their spiritual condition told them that they were "poor, and blind, and naked." They were seen by the Lord to be as "babes" (naked) in Christ because they were not assimilating His Words into their being; "Because thou sayest," Rev 3:17a. They knew the Word, but did not allow it to change them. His counsel to them was that they were to "Buy gold of Me tried in the fire" Rev 3:18.

The Lord desires to perfect His nature (gold) through the workings, dealings, and chastenings of His Holy Spirit in the lives of those who are completely sold out to Him. "Gold tried in the fire" speaks of a direct and intimate encounter with God that causes all that is contrary to His nature to be consumed. The Baptism of Jesus, a "Baptism in the Holy Ghost and Fire" (Matthew 3:11b) has been made available to us. This Baptism will burn away all dross and purify us to become as He is. "For our God is a consuming Fire" Hebrews 12:29.

During this time of famine, a provision has been made for those who are spiritually hungry and seek after "Gold tried in the fire." The Lord has brought into being many spiritual "Places of Refuge" and has made them available to those who are hearing "THE CRY OF THE LORD IN THE MIDST OF PLENTY." These so hunger and thirst after Him that they will gladly "TURN ASIDE" to these prepared places where they will be able to hear "His Words."

Obedience to these anointed "Words of the Lord" will result in a marvelous blessing. "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" John 14:23.

Moses understood that he was called to deliver the children of Israel from bondage. "And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in WORDS and in DEEDS, and when he was full 40 years old it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not" Acts 7:22-25.

The next day, when he showed himself to his brethren, they rebuked him and said: "Who made you a ruler and judge over us?" Acts 7:27b. At this word, Moses fled into the wilderness. He tried to accomplish the will of God with his own ability and understanding, and had utterly failed.

"And when 40 years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai an angel of the Lord IN A FLAME OF FIRE in a bush" Acts 7:30. "And Moses said, I will now TURN ASIDE, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And WHEN THE LORD SAW that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses Moses," Exodus 3:3-4.

Moses had an intense desire to meet the Lord, he was going towards the mountain of God. This spiritual hunger caused him to be willing to "TURN ASIDE" and to stand before the Lord at the burning bush to hear His Word. From this "BURNING WORD" that the Lord spoke to him, came the impartation and anointing that would enable him to lead the children of Israel out from their bondage.

After the Lord had revealed Himself; Moses, who was once mighty and eloquent in words and in deeds, spoke to the Lord and said: "I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue" Exodus 4:10. In other words, Moses said to the Lord: "In the past, I spoke quickly what I thought was your Word, but I have learned that this does not work. Lord, unless you speak to me, I have nothing to say. Now, I will only speak your Words".

As Moses stood before the fire of the burning bush, all of the former ambition and drive that was within him melted away. His own eloquence has been replaced by the Words that the Lord personally spoke to him. He has "purchased gold tried in the fire". Now he is ready to hear and to fully obey the will of the Lord for Himself and for all Israel.

As Moses stood before Pharaoh and spoke forth the "Anointed Words of the Lord," Pharaoh shook. At Pharaoh's rejection of the Word that came through Moses, all of Egypt was caused to tremble until the people of God were cast out of Egypt in a mighty deliverance, to go forth into the land of promise.

In this day of many ministries who are as Moses was: "mighty in word and in deed," the Lord is looking for those whom He might take through a process of reduction, that they only speak His Words.

The Body of Christ must be brought from bondage into the land of promise. Are you willing to "TURN ASIDE" and stand before Him at the burning bush to HEAR a present Word. As you act on this word, deliverance will come and the Lord's people will be brought into a land flowing with milk and honey.

Then, the Famine need not come.