16 MINUTES TO SAVE YOURSELF
SALVATION
«For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation/ have helped you’. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation» (2 Corinthians 6:2).
It is tornado season. Your house is located in «tornado alley»—that area of the United States where most tornadoes are formed. An alarm system had just been issued and the authorities announce that you have 16 minutes to prepare yourself before an enormous funnel of wind gets to your place. What would you do if you only had this amount of time? Would you prepare everything at the last minute? Would you reject the warning believing it to be a false alarm? Would you disregard the announcements from the authorities because you do not really trust them?
The event occurred on May 20, 2013 when a tornado with wind speeds of 400 km/h (250 mph) hit the city of Moore (Oklahoma). Thanks to a tornado warning system, the residents of the area had sixteen minutes to find shelter before disaster struck. Thousands of people saved their lives from a tremendous destruction by seeking shelter in a safe place. Nevertheless, 24 people lost their lives and there were more than 360 injuries.
History records a very powerful cataclysm which took place during the time of Noah. This event had been announced for 120 years, and the people and their families had enough time to get ready. Day after day, the patriarch announced the warnings from heaven, telling them about the impending destruction of the ancient world. However, Noah’s contemporaries did not want to give credit to the solemn warnings. They did not seek refuge in the ark, so only eight people survived.
Almost 2,000 years ago, a new event of unprecedented proportions was announced by Jesus and His apostles, «But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up» (2 Pet. 3:10). Just as He previously did, God gives a time of preparation. An armored shelter will not save us in that hour. Our safety lies in appealing to God’s providence, protection, and care. He has given us clear written instructions to help save His people during hardship, especially to protect us on the last day.
What will you do with such an opportunity? Will you leave your preparation to the very last minute? Will you reject the warning thinking it a false alarm? Will you disregard the biblical admonitions because your faith in Christians has diminished? Remember that «Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.»
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Taken from: Daily Devotions for Adults 2020
“A Cheerful Heart Is Good Medicine”
From: Julian Melgoza-Laura Fidanza
Colaboradores: Alejandra Zavala