Morning Devotional
November  17, 2005
"Tornado Sirens"       
    by Don Emmitte

But you must not forget, dear friends, that a day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and everything in them will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be exposed to judgment. (2 Peter 3:8-10 NLT).

 

This has certainly been a year of natural disasters. We have seen killer storms erupt all across the globe. There have been tsunamis, hurricanes, and tornados that have done billions of dollars of damage and claimed thousands of lives. We have also heard or read many of the reports from those who have been directly affected. One of those reports comes from a survivor of the devastating tornado that ripped through Ohio not long ago.

 

Pastor Bruce D. Weaver of Newcomerstown, Ohio, and his wife had driven their car to pick up their son from Vacation Bible School. The sky was growing dark and there was a storm watch in effect, but no rain was falling yet. The theme for their upcoming Vacation Bible School had to do with Noah's ark and the flood, so he joked with some of the adult leaders about going to great lengths this year with special effects. He soon discovered the weather that evening was no joking matter. By the time he arrived home with his wife and son, the wind was blowing fiercely and lightning bolts were coming down all around them. They hurried inside the house and began to shut windows. Within a few moments they were without electrical power. Pastor Weaver and his wife tucked their son into bed, trying not to betray their concern regarding the severe weather conditions outside.

Pastor Weaver stood beside a window on the west side of the house and looked at the sky, watching intently for a funnel cloud. Suddenly the telephone rang. It was their neighbor informing them that a tornado warning had been issued for their area. He confirmed that meant a funnel cloud actually had been sighted somewhere near. Weaver asked him why the siren in their small town was not sounding. The neighbor said that the siren could not be sounded because of a power outage. He further explained that he had heard on his police scanner instructions for everyone who could hear the scanner to call their neighbors. Weaver was thankful for his concern and he was also thankful that the funnel cloud sighted damaged neither his family nor anyone else in their area.

 

As I read that story, I began to think of how many people are waiting for the siren of God’s judgment to be sounded. The truth really is that it has already been sounded. From many places and at many times God has warned sinful man that time is running out. God does not want anyone to be destroyed. However, the responsibility for our destruction will not be God’s. Too many people have failed to either hear the warnings, or worse, too many people have failed to call others with another warning. If you are reading this devotional today and have any need of repentance, please do not delay another moment. Turn to the grace of God in Christ and allow your heart to be set free!