There are many of the Lord's children that are starving (spiritually) because they are steeped in wickedness much like Lot.  They have been in the world for so long that they are choked by the thorns and the weeds that they are growing and living around. The language of these verses is very similar to the commandment of the Lord in II Chronicles 7:14. These conditions are given to a select group of people (His people), and they are the ones exhorted to keep it for the blessings in return. Notice that the inverse is true as well. The Lord blesses us more than we can ask or think in obedience, and His hand of judgment is far greater than any that man could do. The Lord's angel can slaughter 185,000 in one night. The Lord can devour men in a fire in an instant.  

Therefore, the devouring by the sword is equal in magnitude to the blessing in the opposite direction. Mathematically, we call these diametric opposites. These things are equal and opposite, so as wonderful as His blessings are, that is the torment of His judgment. Also, you do not have to worry about the validity of this statement or condition. The Lord plainly says that He is the one that is speaking it. The Lord CANNOT lie, and therefore, rest assured that it is indeed the case.   

Unfortunately, Israel of old did not heed this commandment. They said in Jeremiah 6:16 that they would not walk in the good, old way that the Lord had commanded. The end of their glory and heritage finally came in AD 70. The Lord did give them some times of bondage and servitude, but finally, His longsuffering came to an end. It is my prayer this morning that He will not cast off this nation, even though she is very undeserving of the least of His blessings. Who knows but that we might be the very salt that is preserving her to this very hour?