As I contemplate the things going on
in the world, the thought often comes to my mind, "I am
glad I live where I do!" Then I get a little reminder
from God that His hand can reach here too! There are
wars in the Middle East; Israel is still being troubled;
Our troops are facing danger and death daily; terrorist
threats plague our cities; a new flu epidemic seems in
the offing; hurricanes and floods destroy a large
segment of our nation, even as the world still reels
from a tsunami.
Recently, after congratulating myself on our choice of
retirement locations, I found myself sitting smugly and
safe in an evening service. A visiting missionary was
telling of the work he was about to undertake in one of
our major cities.
Then it happened; It was like my mother thumping me on
the head and telling me to pay attention. It was like
the boot camp D. I. cracking the top of my pith helmet
with his swagger-stick and yelling, "Listen up, boot!" A
small earthquake made the walls creak, and the people to
gasp. No one moved: We are used to such occurrences
here. I gave out with a loud "Amen"; the pastor
chuckled, and the services continued without a hitch.
Why the ‘Amen’? It seemed to me that God was letting us
know that however safe we think ourselves to be, we are
not beyond His reach. The same comforting thought,
concerning His protecting arms, should also give pause
to those who consider themselves beyond His reach in
judgment! Oba 1:4 Though thou exalt thyself as the
eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars,
thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.
Come to think of it, the only truly safe place to dwell
today, as it has ever been, is IN CHRIST!
1 Cor 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in
Christ shall all be made alive.
Be ever aware of the world around you, but keep your
eyes on Christ! Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also
are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so
easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race
that is set before us,
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of
our faith; who for the joy that was set before him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down
at the right hand of the throne of God.
freddie |
