Evacuate!

With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, "Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away." Genesis 19:15a (NIV)

Hurricane Irene was on its way up the east coast. The news media warned the people living on the eastern seaboard to evacuate Ocean City as well as neighboring towns. Many heeded the warnings and left all they owned, but about 300 people stayed in the face of danger. Some did lose their lives, partly due to reluctance to leave all possessions behind.

The angels of God warned Lot and his family to leave Sodom and Gomorrah because the cities would be destroyed. Lot took his wife and two daughters and escaped just as God reigned fire down on the twin cities. Against the warning of God, Lot's wife looked back, desiring the things left behind, and she became a pillar of salt.

Today, God uses people to warn us when danger approaches. We have the television and the radio to announce warnings so preparations can be made before danger arrives. God also forewarns us from His Words in the Bible. He uses our conscience to warn us of sinful decisions. He helps us change our direction from dangerous steps we might have made to ones that are safe on our journey through life. Reading the Bible sharpens our conscience and assures us that we are going in the right direction.

Heavenly Father, help Your children heed the signposts and warnings You give as we journey through life. Amen.

(c) 2012 Evelyn B. Ryan