08/30/2011 – Archived Post from Salvation Soldier Blog
The latest article I read told me the Hurricane Irene death toll was up to 40 people. A week ago I was on vacation and hadn’t heard much about Hurricane Irene. In fact, a week last Saturday I was relaxing on Jones Beach on Long Island. I’m grateful I got to go before the storm. I wonder what the 40 people who died were thinking about a week ago. We must remember to pray for their families and for the disaster relief efforts this week.
Last Monday those who were to die in the hurricane probably didn’t know they were on a one-way train to the afterlife. They might have believed that after the storm life would be back to normal, but God had appointed for them a time to face judgment, like all of us will (Hebrews 9:27). We don’t know when that is going to be and we need to be surrendered to Jesus Christ and prepared for eternity. No one expected an earthquake on the East coast of the USA, and we certainly didn’t expect Hurricane Irene. I don’t expect to die today, but God hasn’t told me when I will.
In Matthew 24:36-39 Jesus warns of how things will go when He returns. He says it will be like the days of Noah. In the days of Noah people were enjoying life up until the day when the flood came and destroyed them, and they had no idea it would come. The same thing will happen when Jesus returns. I praise God for the saving grace He has given me through the death of Jesus on the cross, and His resurrection from the grave. If you haven’t chosen to follow Christ yet, turn to Him now and be saved!
Being saved already, I don’t fear Hell if I was to die today. Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5 that we are sons of the light and day so Christ’s return doesn’t surprise us if we believe because we are not appointed to wrath. Instead of being fearful at the prospect of death I am convicted by the responsibility of life! Am I living up to my potential in Christ? Did I make sure to follow His commands today and help lead others toward God, or did I live life my own way and miss an opportunity?
2 Timothy 1:7
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Holy Spirit please guide me today to live a life obedient to Christ Jesus. Help me carry you in my heart so that you can have a holy effect on the people who interact with me. Amen.
Sources:
Noah’s Ark Picture: Edward Hicks – Public Domain
Irene Flooding: Death Toll Rises to 40