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In August, our family spent a week on the coast of Oregon, U.S.A. Each day, we observed the power of the waves coming in off the open Pacific Ocean, and each night, we camped within the sound of their roaring. As I played with the children on the sandy beaches, being chased up the shore by incoming waves, I noticed that the water came up only so far, and I was reminded of this Scripture:
Jeremiah 5:22 – "Should you not fear me?" declares the Lord. "Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it." (NIV)
As we drove along the coastal highway, we passed signs saying "Entering Tsunami Hazard Zone" and "Leaving Tsunami Hazard Zone". Tsunamis are huge waves that don't stay within the normal bounds of the shore and cause horrendous damage. We encountered several public displays which outlined the steps that should be taken if we felt the ground shake. The earthquake fault line lies about 100 miles offshore, and the resulting tsunami waves travel over 400 miles per hour, so we would have 15 minutes to walk briskly (not run or drive!) to higher ground. Our campground maps were marked with nearby tsunami-safe areas to go to, and there were displays of debris that had recently washed ashore from the Japanese tsunami in 2011.
So certain are the residents of the inevitability of a tsunami that everyone is prepared with a known evacuation route. What a wonder it is that the second coming of Christ is just as inevitable, but so few people are prepared for it.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 – Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. (NIV)
The evacuation route away from this destruction is through initiating and maintaining a solid relationship with Jesus Christ, Who is the truth, and the way to life everlasting, for no one can come to God by any other way. If we ourselves are already living in harmony with and obedience to the Holy Spirit's promptings, then we need to question ourselves as to how concerned we are that those around us, especially our loved ones, are also aware of the only evacuation route out of the eternal hazard zone.
Prayer: Lord, heighten our awareness of both the inevitability of Your return and the dangerous situation of those who do not know You. Increase our sense of urgency to share Your evacuation route with those around us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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Good word for today Robin.
A well written devotional. Thanks for taking the time to share.
Well put, Robin. May we all be within God’s evacuation zone when Jesus returns. Blessings.
Dear Robin;
Amen!
Robin, thank you for Jeremiah 5:22. I was not familiar with this scripture but will now remember it every time I see or am in beach areas. Blessings.
Most interesting message derived from a vacation setting.
Thank you for sharing,
(Ontario)
Thank you Robin for a meaningful and powerful Devotional.
Thank you also for all you do to make these Daily Devotionals possible.
Blessings.
Dear Robin,
I really enjoy your story “Tsunami Hazard Zone”.
Thank you.
Hi Robin,
A good devotional for information and the precautions it indicates in both the physical and spiritual realms.
Blessings.
Interesting devotional! Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the signs of the times and our Lord’s imminent return. I appreciate your writing in regard to this important truth. May we always be prepared by knowing exactly what the Scriptures have warned us in advance.
Blessings.
Very Good Proclamation!
Now help me with the thought for today?
“We cannot worship what we can understand.”
Thank you,
(USA)
An excellent message, Robin.
Sadly, there are many who just will not listen – no matter how dire the consequences.
A wonderful analogy though.
p.s. It must be a poignant sight to see wreckage of the Japanese disaster.
Thank you for sharing
Thank you for a timely writing today, Robin.
We are constantly surrounded by parallels with our faith. A good example of the many warnings in the Bible of future world events.
If only everyone saw the signs and sought the safety our Lord provides. We pray for this.
Be blessed.
Good Morning Robin:
The evacuation route away from this destruction is through initiating and maintaining a solid relationship with Jesus Christ, Who is the truth, and the way to life everlasting, for no one can come to God by any other way. If we ourselves are already living in harmony with and obedience to the Holy Spirit’s promptings, then we need to question ourselves as to how concerned we are that those around us, especially our loved ones, are also aware of the only evacuation route out of the eternal hazard zone
What a powerful and haunting message. Powerful in that it not only teaches us to be prepared for earthly happenings but also to be prepared for the final day when our Lord shall come in all His glory and majesty to claim His own.
Haunting because we (I) are often guilty of not being as prepared for this glorious day, as we should.
I was expecting company for dinner yesterday and spent the entire day fussing and getting ready for their welcome and then along came your message today making me realize we who love the Lord, often go day in and day out without making any preparation for His coming to be with us the second time.
Shame on me and others, who love the Lord, yet place Him on the second shelf of our lives neglecting to prepare for His return and become careless and complacent when it comes to telling others the wonderful news of Salvation to those we love and touch shoulders with every day.
This devotional was as good as any sermon I have ever heard. Thank you for challenging me once again.
Your trip sounded exciting and so much fun.
Right on Robin
You struck the enviable that will occur — but I have found over the years this subject of the second coming of Jesus is seldom preached from the poppet.
Oh how we need to speak out to our loved ones and to the world to draw them into and through the Holy Spirit, for the day of the Lord is coming. The signs are written in scripture.
You know all though the Bible right from the beginning, people have been warned (take the days of Noah — Who listened to the warnings?)
So be it – the day is coming, and we need to act to save the lives that God leads us to. I pray may God help us to spread the news so that our loved ones may come to recognize the warnings.
Thanks for a meaningful devotional. May all who read be blessed by it.
Robin – Thank you for bringing awareness to our need to be ready with our reassurance that our path to Heaven is clear. I pray that many will have heeded your word today.