In August, our family spent a week on the coast of Oregon, U.S.A. Each day, we observed the power of the waves coming in off the open Pacific Ocean, and each night, we camped within the sound of their roaring. As I played with the children on the sandy beaches, being chased up the shore by incoming waves, I noticed that the water came up only so far, and I was reminded of this Scripture:

Jeremiah 5:22 – “Should you not fear me?” declares the Lord. “Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it.” (NIV)

As we drove along the coastal highway, we passed signs saying “Entering Tsunami Hazard Zone” and “Leaving Tsunami Hazard Zone”. Tsunamis are huge waves that don’t stay within the normal bounds of the shore and cause horrendous damage. We encountered several public displays which outlined the steps that should be taken if we felt the ground shake. The earthquake fault line lies about 100 miles offshore, and the resulting tsunami waves travel over 400 miles per hour, so we would have 15 minutes to walk briskly (not run or drive!) to higher ground. Our campground maps were marked with nearby tsunami-safe areas to go to, and there were displays of debris that had recently washed ashore from the Japanese tsunami in 2011.

So certain are the residents of the inevitability of a tsunami that everyone is prepared with a known evacuation route. What a wonder it is that the second coming of Christ is just as inevitable, but so few people are prepared for it.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 – Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. (NIV)

The evacuation route away from this destruction is through initiating and maintaining a solid relationship with Jesus Christ, Who is the truth, and the way to life everlasting, for no one can come to God by any other way. If we ourselves are already living in harmony with and obedience to the Holy Spirit’s promptings, then we need to question ourselves as to how concerned we are that those around us, especially our loved ones, are also aware of the only evacuation route out of the eternal hazard zone.

Prayer: Lord, heighten our awareness of both the inevitability of Your return and the dangerous situation of those who do not know You. Increase our sense of urgency to share Your evacuation route with those around us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Copyright ©, by Robin Ross rross@telus.net, first published on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional presbycan.ca .
Mission, British Columbia, Canada