A Storm Is Coming

A storm is predicted to hit the east coast this coming weekend.
It is being described as an unusual mix of a hurricane and a winter storm.
Steady gale-force winds, flooding, heavy rain, and maybe snow is expected.

Every time a storm is predicted…the magnitude of this one…I fill up a bathtub.
We do not have public water or public sewer in our immediate area.
When we lose power, we have no running water.
Filling the bathtub is a way to have water for the duration of the storm.

Every time I fill our bathtub, in preparation of a predicted storm, we never lose power.
If the storm hits without warning…and I don’t fill up the bathtub…we lose power.

Since we have so many trees around us, power outages are a common occurrence.
When trees get heavy laden with ice in the winter, or powerful winds blow, you can be sure a branch will come down on an overhead wire on one of the main roads.
Power will be out for quite a while.

It is good to know when a storm is coming so you can have supplies on hand.
Flashlights, radio, batteries, water, bread, non-perishable food, cell phone.

People get fearful when big storms are predicted.
The elderly people who live alone are especially vulnerable.

Some winter snowstorms can be quite cozy.
Fire in the fireplace, good books to read, maybe even a family game night.
Storms like the one that is to come, are more destructive.

Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had it foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.  (Matthew 7:24-27)

God’s wrath is often described using the image of a great storm.
If a person hears God’s words and obeys them…they have built their life on the Rock.
If a person hears God’s words and does not obey them…they have built their life on sand.

The rock foundation is strong and secure.
You can count on it to hold you up and hold you steady.
No storm will ultimately move you…and cause you to fall.
The storm may rattle you…it may shake you…it may make you fearful.
You will stand. You are safe on rock.

The sandy foundation is unsteady…unreliable.
It will shift and move; it does not have the strength to hold you.
The storm will rage and beat against you.
You will not be able to stand…you will fall with a great crash.
You will have no security. You are not safe on sand.

When Jesus first met Simon, who was to be one of His disciples, He looked at him and said,
“You will be called Cephas” (which when translated, is Peter). (John 1:42)

Peter means Rock.
Peter was the first rock upon which Jesus would build His church.
Peter was not the only rock.

As you come to Him, the Living Stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him, you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
(1 Peter 2:4,5)

Storms will come.
What matters most is whether you are prepared or not.
If a house is on a shaky foundation, a builder will shore up the foundation with concrete.
We need to shore up the foundation of our lives with rock.
The Rock…that is Christ.

As we build on The Living Stone…we become living stones.
The spiritual house, being built, will withstand any storm.

Many storms come without warning.
But one final storm is coming.
No one knows the day or the hour.
We have been warned!

There is still time to prepare!
Not with flashlights, batteries, water, and bread.
But with The Light, The Living Water, The Bread of Life…empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Behold, I am coming soon! (Revelation 22:7)
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)