If you respond to my warning, then I will pour out my spirit on you and teach you my words. Since I called out and you refused, extended my hand and no one paid attention, since you neglected all my counsel and did not accept my correction, I, in turn, will laugh at your calamity. I will mock when terror strikes you, when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when trouble and stress overcome you. Then they will call me, but I won’t answer; they will search for me, but won’t find me. Because they hated knowledge, didn’t choose to fear the Lord, were not interested in my counsel, and rejected all my correction, they will eat the fruit of their way and be glutted with their own schemes. For the turning away of the inexperienced will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. But whoever listens to me will live securely and be free from the fear of danger.
Proverbs 1:24-33 HCSB
Growing up in southeast Louisiana, I know all about storm preparation. When you live here, it’s not if you will be effected by a hurricane, but when. There are years when we escape them and years like 2005 when Katrina came through and we were devastated.
We live far enough from the coast that the biggest inconvenience for us is the power outages. We were fortunate, in that during Katrina, we only went without power for 5 days. Some of my friends who lived a little farther north went weeks without power. And of course, New Orleans, made national news as the city was totally devastated by the storm.
Katrina was by far the worst hurricane that I have lived through. But coming through that taught me to prepare for the storms. You see we know that they are coming. The weather forecasters can watch the storm and track the storm. They can’t tell you exactly where it will make landfall, but you know it’s coming. You know that it could come directly at you. So, you have to be prepared. People in mobile homes and low lying areas are encouraged to evacuate and seek shelter. Those of us who are on higher ground are encouraged to prepare to be without power. Yesterday I busied myself getting prepared in case Hurricane Gordon came into our area bringing strong winds and heavy rains. We made sure that we had flashlights and candles. I picked up everything outside that could fly around if the winds got too heavy and secured these things in our garage. And I prayed. From the moment that we learned that this storm was headed our way, I had this peaceful, easy feeling. I knew that God had our back. I knew that He would take good care of us. He has seen me through so many storms in life that I just don’t worry about them anymore. It took me a long time to get that way.
You see there for a while in my life, storms tended to frighten and devastate me. I’m not necessarily talking about weather storms, but life storms. Life storms come more frequently than weather storms and can be much more devastating if you haven’t done the necessary preparation.
In our scripture passage today, we are told that if we respond to God’s warning, that He will pour out his spirit on us. He will teach us His words. But if we don’t, watch out. The storm is coming. We are told that he will laugh and mock us when terror strikes like a storm and calamity comes like a whirlwind. We are told that we will call out and He will not answer. And worst of all, we are told that He will give us over to our evil ways. Paul tells the Romans this very same thing in Romans 1:24. He warns them that if they don’t repent and stop their evil ways that God will give them over to their evil desires.
Now you can live anywhere in the country and face a storm. Some areas are more susceptible to tornadoes. Some are susceptible to snow storms. As Christians, we know that the storms of life are going to come our way. The question is are you prepared? Are you prayed up? Are you in the close kind of relationship with Jesus Christ that keeps you safe in the shelter of God the Father (Psalm 91:1-2)?
God loves you. He doesn’t want to laugh at you, believe me He doesn’t find your failure funny. But there will come a time, if you don’t turn to Him, that He will give you over to your evil desires. There will be a time when the phrase, “God help you”, just won’t do any good.
Storms are a part of life. God provides the shelter that we need. If we stay in close relationship with Him, then we can weather any storm. God uses storms to strengthen us and help us to stay prepared. God uses storms to make our witness stronger. God actually works bad things out for our good (Romans 8:28). Are you facing a storm today? If you are and you haven’t properly prepared for it, you can still survive it. Run for shelter. Run to God’s loving arms and allow Him to shelter you through this storm. Know that more storms will come your way and that you can reside in His shelter. You can stay safe in Him. My prayer for you today is that when storms head your way, that you can experience the peace and joy from knowing that you are already in His shelter.
Have a great day!