Hurricane Allen was one of the most dangerous storms ever to threaten the Texas coast. With its swirling winds as high as 170 mph, it was predicted to be "the storm of the century." A number of tornadoes spun off from the main hurricane, accompanied by torrential rains. As he viewed the fury of the approaching storm, a weatherman in Brownsville was so awed that he ended his teletyped weather advisory with a prayer:
"May God help us!"
Did God help?
The director of the National Hurricane Center describes how "Allen" slowed its forward speed just enough before it hit land: "We had a very delicate race yesterday. If the storm had moved in to land sooner, it would have hit southern Texas with much more force, and if the landfall had come later, Allen could have raked northward along the entire Texas coast. It was like a hurricane with eyes. Every time it threatened a populated area, there was a little zig in the track."
What did the headlines say? "LUCK saved Texas!"
"The LORD... commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves... Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and He bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet... Oh, that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!" Psalm 107:24, 25, 28-3124These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. 25For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. (Psalm 107:24‑25)
28Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. 29He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. 30Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. 31Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! (Psalm 107:28‑31).
In just the same way that Hurricane Allen threatened the Texas coastal cities, we are threatened by the storm of judgment against sin. God has warned us of this judgment, and He has provided a way that we can be saved from it. Will you trust in "LUCK" to save you? Or will you trust in the mercy of the Lord? Because "Christ died for our sins," God offers salvation to all who will believe on the Lord Jesus.