Last night a band of thunderstorms passed through San Antonio just about the time I went to bed. The warning was in the forecast, so I pulled my car into the garage and called our family. I wasn’t particularly worried about the storms, but there is always the possibility of danger or property damage. My sister-in-law’s house was seriously damaged by wind and hail in a previous storm.
I checked before going to bed and the storm was on schedule, so I unplugged my television and computer when the thunder and lightning began. Susan went to bed when the power briefly went out. There wasn’t anything else we could do, so I said a brief prayer asking for GOD’s protection and tried to sleep. I could hear torrents of rain hitting the bedroom window, only interrupted by crashing lightning and booming thunder. I felt safe in our house that had withstood storms before and was protecting us from this one.
Just as we were nodding off our cell phones started making a strange noise. I looked but didn’t see any problem and figured it was signaling an interruption in service. At Susan’s request, I turned both of our phones off so we could sleep. It wasn’t until the next morning I discovered the noise from our phones were tornado warnings, with an advisory to take immediate cover! Even with weathermen sending out the alarm, modern technology placing the warning literally in my hands, and a place to take shelter, I did not recognize the message and move to safety. The alarm had been raised for good reason. Four tornadoes touched down not far from us and caused over $100 million in damage.
There is another storm passing across our land. It is stealing, killing, and destroying the lives of those who don’t heed the warning and take shelter. Modern technology is helping spread the alarm and faithful watchmen tell of the impending danger. The warning is literally in our hands and a shelter was prepared long ago, at great expense. The warnings and the shelter are only useful if you recognize and respond to them.
The storm is sin and Satan is the thief. JESUS said, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 KJV). Our shelter is found in JESUS CHRIST alone, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). You have been warned! Accept JESUS and be saved.
Wayne Lance (2017)