Thought for Thursday
But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Luke 17:29
Do you know what the word ‘melodrama’ means? It is used frequently in fiction books and movies, in which people are pulled to safety at the last second, just before a catastrophe occurs. For example, a lovely maiden is tied by villains to the railway tracks, but just before the thundering freight train reaches her, she is pulled to safety by her brave hero. We know the story of Lot escaping from Sodom, and of the destruction of that immoral city as soon as he reached Zoar. God has His own melodramatic scene ready for you and me, and it should have us excited today as we see the impending catastrophe approaching.
In real life, it is entirely possible for people not to be rescued before disaster strikes. But we know that God will not permit you and me to go through the tribulation that this world is preparing for. We know that our rescue is sure, our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. But we also know that things in this world may well become dangerous and hectic before we hear the Rapture trumpet. We need to take comfort in the assurance that the worst the world can throw at us will be brief and temporary.
Things were bad in Sodom on the day before the city was destroyed. Moral conditions were pathetic, reaching disgusting lows that have not been matched in human history until today. Sodom’s sins are all around us, and we can almost smell the brimstone of God’s retribution. This is frightening, but our redemption draweth nigh! Wars and rumours of wars are all about us, as the middle east cauldron boils over and this world is wracked by strife and bloodshed. Again, this is frightening, but our redemption draweth nigh! The spread of mohammedanism is pervasive, with the grim reality that its cruel tentacles will place ever more of the world, including our own nation, under its satanic grip. This too is frightening, but our redemption draweth nigh! Economic conditions remain volatile, with so much of what we have been taking for granted in terms of jobs, savings, and retirement plans being twisted and distorted far beyond the comfort zone. This is frightening, too, but it is another proof that our redemption draweth nigh!
The world about us is shaping itself for judgment, but like Lot, we are just waiting for the invitation to leave for Home. Let us take comfort from the frightening events about us, because they mean that – just in time – we will be spared the destruction. -Jim MacIntosh