I grew up in the prairies of Canada. The wide, open plains and large fields of crops were often referred to as the “Bread Basket” of the world. Wheat was harvested and sent to the mills to make flour to bake bread.
One afternoon as we were going about our farming duties, we noticed some unusually dark clouds coming from the west. They were moving quickly and appeared like a pot of boiling water. Everything became deceptively quiet. There was no wind, birds stopped singing, the cows were heading for the barn and the chickens and turkeys were restless.
Suddenly a wind came up, followed by severe lightning, thunder and a downpour of heavy rain. Then something very frightening occurred. Hailstones the size of baseballs pounded the fields, gardens and buildings.
I remember the fear in my mother’s voice as she herded all of us children into the root cellar, and I remember my father trying to calm our fears. There was crying and there was a pleading in prayer to the Lord Jesus to keep us safe.
The storm subsided as quickly as it had come up, and we left our safe haven in the root cellar to view the damage-windows shattered, shingles demolished, garden vegetables shredded like salad, fields of grain totally destroyed, chickens and turkeys dead from fear and exposure, and water everywhere.
For us youngsters, our fear quickly disappeared and we enjoyed wading in the water. For the older ones, there was the concern for the loss and damage. Our family placed our trust in the Lord Jesus to provide for that which had been damaged and lost. Our food that ordinarily would have been laid up for the winter was gone.
Recently we have seen devastation in the south due to hurricanes. People are “fearful.” The Bible tells us that these are some of the signs of the last days. God is speaking to all of us. He is in control! God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into the world to save sinners. Many are not paying attention and are quickly forgetting the devastation. Just like us children after the bad storm, we played in the water and quickly forgot the destruction.
Are you going to pay attention to what has happened in many of the Caribbean islands and the southern states? “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:33I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3)). Jesus has prepared a home in heaven for all who will put their trust in Him.
Judgment is coming on this earth. This judgment will punish those who turn down God’s offer of salvation. Only those who put their trust in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ will escape the awful judgment that is coming. Will you admit that you are a sinner and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)).