Where I live, the droughts dominate the national and local news. By 10th August, almost three quarters of England was officially in drought. July saw less than 10% of its average rainfall, national water storage fell to 69%, and five reservoirs were exceptionally low. More than 25 million people faced water-use restrictions, while farmers reported reduced yields and poor growth. It’s a relatively new phenomenon here, and for most people it means some inconvenience.
We are very conscious that elsewhere in the world it is often far worse, where failed rains mean livestock dying, harvests collapsing, families having to leave their homes and children going without food. The World Food Programme’s 2026 Global Report on Food Crises says that 266 million people in food-crisis countries face acute hunger. Conflict is often the main cause, but drought and economic shocks make the suffering worse.
What can we learn from this, and what’s the answer?
Drought in the Bible
The events of the Bible are set in Israel and the Middle East. It describes droughts vividly. These two Old Testament episodes illustrate how completely we rely on God to provide the conditions which allow food to be grown.
Joseph and the famine in Egypt: Pharaoh dreamed of seven years of plenty followed by seven years of terrible famine. God enabled Joseph to explain the dream, and Pharaoh appointed Joseph to oversee grain being stored during the good years. When the famine came, Egypt had food, and people from surrounding countries came to buy it (read Genesis 41).
Elijah and the widow: Elijah told wicked King Ahab that there would be neither dew nor rain except at his word. The drought became severe. God first sustained Elijah beside a brook, sending food by ravens! Then Elijah was sent to a poor widow who, with her son, was at the point of starvation. She gave Elijah the last of what she had – then God blessed them all with a supply of flour and oil which did not run out (read 1 Kings 17). The drought demonstrated God’s care for those who trust Him.
A Fruitful Future
Around the world, scientists and politicians are trying to work out how to fix the problem – sadly with little success. The great news is that there is an answer. The God who created the world and the weather also had the Bible written. And He promises to send Jesus back to establish God’s Kingdom here on the Earth. It will be perfect world, and included in the descriptions are:
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing… For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water (Isaiah 35:1-2, 6-7).
May there be abundance of grain in the land; on the tops of the mountains may it wave; may its fruit be like Lebanon; and may people blossom in the cities like the grass of the field! (Psalm 72:16).
The Kingdom of God will go much further, eliminating injustice, war, disease, and eventually even death. The powerful promise is to be immortal and to have a direct relationship with God, entirely unaffected by any of the problems of this mortal life. The Bible gives signs that this will be soon. If we believe God, are baptised and try to please Him, then we can be there.
Read more in Glad Tidings.
Andrew Hale
