LightGrams
October 6, 2016
Volume 20, Number 32
As I write this, evacuations are continuing along the coastal areas of the Southeastern U.S. Hurricane Matthew is projected to make landfall later this evening, and it is a powerful storm. The potential for destruction and loss of life is great.
Orders issued by governors of three states for evacuations affect more than 11 million people. I’ve never been involved in such an evacuation, but I imagine it’s hard to drive away from your home, knowing that it may not be standing when you return.
The key to leaving one’s property is to look at the bigger picture; what is most important? In the few minutes I watched the Weather Channel this morning I heard one phrase several times: “You can rebuild a house, but you can’t recover a lost life.” That says it well. Clinging to possessions may lead a person to lose their life.
Twice in the book of Genesis we find orders evacuate. The first is found in Genesis 6, where we read that “the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). The condition of the world grieved the Lord, and He decided to cleanse the earth with a flood.
Noah was the exception; “Noah was a just man” we’re told in Genesis 6:9. God instructed him to build an ark for the saving of himself and his family. Noah apparently attempted to urge others around him to take God’s word seriously (see 2 Peter 2:5), but in the end only he and seven others in his family were delivered.
In Genesis 19 angels issue orders to Lot, nephew of Abraham, to evacuate the city of Sodom, another scene of rampant wickedness. “Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed,” they urged him (Genesis 19:17).
The forecast for our age may not include a universal flood or fire and brimstone raining down from heaven, but we are urged to “evacuate” nonetheless. Here’s how Peter stated it: “… by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:4).
This “corruption that is in the world” is from the same root problem that led to the flood and to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah – sin. But God’s desire is to save us from that doom. He gave His Son for that purpose, and all His wonderful promises.
Yes, we’re asked to leave behind some things we’ve known and loved. But consider the big picture: “What will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26)
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Copyright, 2016, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
Permission to reproduce and/or use the messages for noncommercial purposes is freely granted provided the messages are not altered.