A recent New York Times article reported there is less hunger today than in 1990, with 200 million fewer people in the world now living with hunger than did then (Rick Gladstone, “U.N. Reports About 200 Million Fewer Hungry People Than in 1990,” May 27, 2015). “But the report also illustrated failures, especially in parts of Africa, where in some regions more than one in three people remain hungry. Twenty-four African countries currently face food crises” (ibid).

No matter how hard we try, it doesn’t seem like food shortages will go away. Population growth coupled with water shortages do not lead to a bountiful future. Some scientific advancements have led to the mass production of foods, but there may be unforeseen outcomes. The long-term effects of genetically modified organisms remain to be seen. But the slight increase in food is encouraging for the time being.

The Bible does warn of increasing famines before the return of Jesus. We will see more shortages and suffering. But thankfully that’s not the end of the story.

“‘Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘When the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who sows seed; the mountains shall drip with sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it’” (Amos 9:13). At that time, “everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree [having personal shelter and sustenance], and no one shall make them afraid” (Micah 4:4).

God plans to intervene in the world’s problems. The hunger issue we have struggled with will be eradicated. God gives us so much hope for His coming Kingdom of peace and abundance. (Source: The New York Times.)