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The Bible Says
It is NEW YEAR’S DAY, 2005. I am sitting in front of my picture window and watching and enjoying the beautiful snow as it flutters down from heaven. As I sit here in my comfortable chair, I find myself singing the old song, that no doubt you once sang as well.
See the pretty snowflakes filling all the air, As I sat watching that snow pile up across the landscape, I started counting my blessings. Snow is not beautiful when one is caught in a blinding snow storm, helplessly praying and hoping for deliverance from a winter disaster. But God has blessed me! I can sit here in a warm comfortable home and rejoice! We have just enjoyed a wonderful Christmas. My loved ones are safely back home in Kansas City, despite the sleet storm the day before they left. Why shouldn’t I rejoice? Everything’s going my way! Then I thought of those less fortunate than me -- those who are cold! Those who are hungry! Those who are unloved! My mind strayed to the Christmas Island disaster!
Picture in your mind going to the most lavish Christmas Vacation Area in all the world. You live in America, France, England, or wherever? This is a lifetime dream at last come true! Maybe you are affluent and the associated expense is not a problem. For others that ticket cost your bottom dollar! Now, at long last you are there. You are “letting your hair down!” After all this is once in a lifetime -- enjoy it to the full! -- Then, Bingo!
Some of those who perished at Tsunami were undoubtedly Christians, and they simply received a speedy ticket to Heaven. Paul assured all Christian believers that to be absent from the body (by death) meant that we would instantaneously be present with the Lord (II Cor. 5:8).
One broadcast reads: “After the devastation wreaked by the seas, a deluge from the skies deepened the misery for Tsunami-stricken areas Saturday, triggering flash floods in Sri Lanka that sent evacuees fleeing and increasing the threat of deadly diseases as survivors shivered in relief centers. “Pounding rain drenched the wrecked Indonesian city of Banda Acah. “A magnitude 6.5 aftershock jolted Sumatra, centered 150 miles southwest of Banda Acah, as the world’s aid efforts shifted and accelerated in ways big and small, elephant convoys working in Thailand, global assistance reaching 2 billion dollars with a fresh pledge from Tokyo, and the U.S. military launching one of the biggest relief missions in history.” Taken from Internet We are told that could happen. Will Christians suffer in case it does? They will undoubtedly be involved. God treats us all alike, but He does answer prayer. Thousands of the careless are spared disaster every day because a loved one prayed. Then, what do those do who escape tragedy? All too often, like Lot, they go out and get drunk (compare Genesis chapter 18 with chapter 19:32-38). Occasionally God permits His most devoted followers not only to suffer, but to be abused and mistreated totally without cause. In the Book of Acts we read of the stoning of Stephen for no crime other than preaching the Gospel, “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55). Then as Stephen lay there dying, he prayed for those who took his life (verse 59).
What if sudden calamity were to strike Deer River? How many of us are ready to meet God without a moment’s warning? Praise God! It has not happened to date. We in fact have been favored in many ways. What are we to do now?
Oh, I will rejoice in the Lord
See Habakkuk 3:18 |