The Sorrow of Lack

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“In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons” (Ruth 1:1).

Many elements are present in the book of Ruth, but the first line opens up with the reality of its first character—famine. Many of us haven’t experienced famine concerning lack of rain and produce, but we have experienced famine in other ways. Famine means shortage, or simply, lacking in resources.

Take a moment and note the things you feel you lack. Is it a lack of relationship? Lack of funds? Lack of joy? Seek to identify what things you find lacking in your life. Where are you in a famine?

Identifying the lack is important but putting our sorrow of lack into appropriate words is important as well. The Scriptures put our emotions into words that convey the deep sense of what we feel in ways we may not have previously thought.

Take a moment, breathe, and meditate on David's words in Psalm 34.

“I will bless the Lord at all times;
    his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 

My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
    let the humble hear and be glad.

Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
    and let us exalt his name together!

I sought the Lord, and he answered me
    and delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant,
    and their faces shall never be ashamed.

This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
    and saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the Lord encamps
    around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
    for those who fear him have no lack!

The young lions suffer want and hunger;
    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Come, O children, listen to me;
    I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

What man is there who desires life
    and loves many days, that he may see good?

Keep your tongue from evil
    and your lips from speaking deceit.

Turn away from evil and do good;
    seek peace and pursue it. 

The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
    and his ears toward their cry.

The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
    to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
    and delivers them out of all their troubles.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
    and saves the crushed in spirit. 

Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
    but the Lord delivers him out of them all. 

He keeps all his bones;
    not one of them is broken. 

Affliction will slay the wicked,
    and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. 

The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
    none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.”

Do any of those words stand out to you? Take a moment and note the truths David writes about and apply them to your season of lack.

As you reflect on the words of Psalm 34 over your season of lack, offer this prayer to the Lord: 

Father, though I lack today, your word says I lack no good thing near you. Align my heart with yours so that I will see your goodness. Surround me, Father, as the Angel of the Lord surrounds those who fear you. Many are my afflictions, but you will deliver me from them all—you deliver the brokenhearted and rescue the crushed in spirit. Fulfill my lack with your grace and remind me you see my current famine. Draw near to me, Father, that even though I lack today, I will one day have all my needs fulfilled in Christ. You are my redeemer, Amen.

Try to put this prayer in your own words today. Maybe even draw from other elements in Psalm 34 that speak to you concerning where you are today in lack. Whatever your famine is, know this: the Lord sees you and cares about your lack—go to him.

Prayer Points

Consider praying along the prompts in the “Praise” or “Self-Reflection” sections of the prayer points found here.