An Umbrella Of Protection

Malachi 3:9-11 – "You are under a curse — the whole nation of you — because you are robbing me. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this," says the Lord of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field," says the Lord of hosts. (NKJV)

For some time now, wildfires have been raging in the interior of the province of British Columbia, Canada, as a record-breaking drought has permitted dry tinder to become fuel for the blazes. More than thirty thousand people have been evacuated from their homes, and more than 250 homes have actually been destroyed. An economic analyst commented that these wildfires have disrupted the BC economy to such an extent that, coupled with the recent electrical blackout in eastern Canada and the United States, a one-two punch has been delivered to the Canadian economy that will likely result in depression.

This morning, I remembered God's promise that He would "rebuke the devourer" if we remember Him and honour His commands. Our society has done anything but that, and it could be argued that God has gradually been removing His umbrella of protection from our society. We have seen the devastating effects of forest fires, blackouts, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (mad cow disease), the West Nile virus, the terrorist attacks, and the war on terrorism. Our health care system is drained by virulent, antibiotic-resistant bacteria (like flesh-eating disease), and diseases that result from sexually immoral activity.

I wonder how long it will be before people wake up and realize that dishonouring God has a direct debilitating effect on society. It is up to those of us who honour God to draw people's attention to the integral involvement that God has in our society.

Prayer: Oh Lord, encourage us with the knowledge that one person, with You, is a majority. Enable each of us to do what we can to raise the awareness of the people around us that honouring You has profound and beneficial effects on society. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

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