“Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessings that you will not have room enough for it” - Malachi 3:10 (NIV).

Whenever there is a drought in the land there is good reason to ask what would be the cause. Such understanding could be to our benefit.

In ancient Egypt there was once a draught that God from which we capture an important lesson. It all started with Pharaoh’s dream that he couldn’t interpret. Only it was a prisoner called Joseph who came up and advised Pharaoh how to manage an impending famine.

God gave Joseph knowledge what to do by planning ahead. Once the famine came Egypt was well positioned with silos filled with grain. “And the whole world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere” (Gen 41:57). Planning for lean times was the key to Egypt’s salvation.

Another draught happened during the reign of King Dairus, but this time the causes were a direct consequence of the people neglecting God’s work. “You have planted much, but harvest little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are never warm. You earn wages, only to put it in a purse with holes in it” (Haggai 1:6).

Obsessed with their concerns, God had brought on a draught to them. “You expected much, but see, it turned out little. What you brought home, I blew away. “Why?” declares the Almighty God. Because of my house, which remains in ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house” (verse 9).

To end this draught God advised the people, “Go up the mountains and bring timber and build my house so that I may take pleasure in it and be honoured, says the Lord” (verse 8). This was a draught that the people had the power to manage only by re focusing their behaviours.

Today hereto we could be facing a drought where we need God’s wisdom as ever before. Perhaps God is telling us to plan ahead for lean times. Or it could be that we did neglect His work, obsessed with our needs, and this drought was the only way to capture back our attention.

Prayer for today: Lord Almighty Father, creator of heaven and earth, today with a draught looming in the land from the corona virus pandemic, I seek your wisdom as you gave to Joseph and prophet Haggai, how to overcome seasons of scarcity, and even thrive for your glory!