These plagues are not universal , or the inhabitants of the earth would be wholly cut off . Yet they will be the most awful scourges that have ever been known to mortals . All the judgments upon men , prior to the close of probation , have been mingled with mercy . The pleading blood of Christ has shielded the sinner from receiving the full measure of his guilt ; but in the final judgment , wrath is poured out unmixed with mercy . In that day , multitudes will desire the shelter of God ' s mercy which they have so long despised . " 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 .
The people of God will not be free from suffering ; but while persecuted and distressed , while they endure privation and suffer for want of food they will not be left to perish . That God who cared for Elijah will not pass by one of His self-sacrificing children . He who numbers the hairs of their head will care for them , and in time of famine they shall be satisfied . While the wicked are dying from hunger and pestilence , angels will shield the righteous and supply their wants . To him that " walketh righteously " is the promise : " Bread shall be given him ; his waters shall be sure ." " When the poor and needy seek water , and there is none , and their tongue faileth for thirst , I the Lord will hear them , I the God of Israel will not forsake them ." Isaiah 33:15 , 16 ; 41:17 .
" Although the fig tree shall not blossom , neither shall fruit be in the vines ; the labor of the olive shall fail , and the fields shall yield no meat ; the flock shall be cut off from the fold , and there shall be no herd in the stalls ;" yet shall they that fear Him " rejoice in the Lord " and joy in the God of their salvation . Habakkuk 3:17 , 18 .
" The Lord is thy keeper : the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand . The sun shall not smite thee by day , nor the moon by night . The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil : He shall preserve thy soul ." " He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler , and from the noisome pestilence . He shall cover thee with His fathers , and under His wings shalt thou trust : His truth shall be thy shield and buckler . Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night ; nor for the arrow that flieth by day ; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness ; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday . A thousand shall fall at thy side , and ten thousand at thy right hand ; but it shall not come nigh thee . Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked . Because thou hast made the Lord , which is my refuge , even the Most High , thy habitation ; there shall no evil befall thee , neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling ." Psalms 121:5-7 ; 91:3-10 .
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