Read: Matthew 19:27-30
Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. (v. 29)
My phone blared and flashed with the evacuation order. Hurricane Irma was projected to whirl straight up Tampa Bay, causing a catastrophic storm surge that would flood our house. Some people balk at these evacuation orders and stay behind. They do not want to abandon their homes, businesses, or possessions. They trust in their belief that the storm will not be as destructive as warned. By staying they endanger themselves and others.
When God gave the evacuation order to leave the wicked city of Sodom because he was going to destroy it, Lot, his wife, and daughters obeyed, eventually. But Lot’s sons-in-law thought the warning was foolishness. They refused God’s invitation for refuge and trusted in their own wisdom to their demise (Gen. 19:12-14, 24-25).
We have been given an order to evacuate from the most destructive storm that could ever rage—eternity without the Lord. To evacuate, we first believe God and accept his invitation for salvation. We then abandon a life where our possessions, status, and human ties are our utmost priority. God calls us away from danger to follow Jesus and establish our relationship with him as what we live for. When we heed this evacuation order, God promises to protect and abundantly care for us in this life and gives us an eternal refuge with him.
As you pray, heed God’s evacuation order and ask him to be your eternal refuge.
About the Author
Donna M. Harold is retired from a career in accounting and consulting and lives in Tampa, Florida, with her husband and two cats. She serves as treasurer for her church, creates and facilitates Bible studies, and enjoys writing, mosaicking, and quilting.
