The year 2013 was an exceptionally bad year for tornadoes in the central United States. In mid May, giant storm systems spawned tornadoes that left paths of destruction wherever they touched down. Images of the large-scale desolation caused by these tornadoes and the human tragedy that followed filled the air waves. It is no wonder that, when a tornado was sighted outside a small town in Indiana, a local radio announcer made an impassioned plea: “A tornado has been sighted. Seek shelter at once! This is the best advice you will ever receive today! I repeat — seek shelter at once!”
The approaching tornado, in this case, disappeared as swiftly as it had formed and completely missed the town. However, the announcer did his duty and gave them warning.
The Bible warns us about an approaching storm of judgment. Unless souls repent and turn to Christ, the storm of judgment will surely find them. “Behold, all souls are Mine. ... The soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:44Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. (Ezekiel 18:4)). To die in this verse means that when they pass out of this world, they will be swept into the everlasting destructions of hell. “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:2828And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28)).
If there ever was a message that needed to be delivered in an impassioned way, it is the message that souls need to forsake their sins and return to God by faith.
Shelter from this impending storm is not to be found in good works, religion or reformation of character. None of these things are strong enough to stand against it.
The shelter is not to be found in a place or a thing, but in a living Person. The Lord Jesus, as the pure, sinless Lamb of God, voluntarily went to the cross and paid the price for our sins. “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:33For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (1 Corinthians 15:3)). The storm that should have broken over us and sunk us to the lowest hell for our misdeeds instead broke over Him. Hear His anguished cry: “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me” (Matthew 27:4646And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46)).
He paid the ultimate penalty for sin, which is death, but death couldn’t keep Him in the ground. Three days after He was buried, He arose from the grave. He is alive now, and He is the living Person that all others must come to, so that they may live through Him.
The best advice a sinner will ever receive is to come to the Lord Jesus by faith that they might live! I hope you take it to heart!