Aahhh…after all the (although still) cold, rainy, and unpredictable weather this Spring; at long last the warm sunshine made it’s presence this past week. Daffodils and Irises are now in full bloom; small creatures of the earth are coming out of their winter hide-a-ways; birds singing in the early morning; and people everywhere sporting shorts, flip flops and T-shirts. Finally, hopefully, Spring is making its way back.

A popular online encyclopedia explains Spring and “springtime” refer to the season; and is broadly seen as a time of growth, renewal, and of new life of both plants and animals. The hemisphere begins to warm significantly causing new plant growth to “spring forth,” giving the season its name. However, spring is also a time of chaotic and unstable weather conditions.  Recent news stories across our country revealed powerful, historic storms generated blizzard conditions in some areas, heavy rain, thunderstorms, with flooding in others, along with devastating high winds and earthquakes. Despite the calendar drifting deeper into April, the news depicted horrific and almost unbelievable photos and articles regarding the historic flooding, snow storms, damaging winds and blizzard conditions; as well as thousands forced to flee their homes, tragic death of both human and livestock, and loss of farms, homes and even cities. I find it ironic that a time designated for new growth and new life, can leave such havoc and total destruction in its path.

I had to wonder if the people during the time of Noah felt safe from any warnings of flooding or storms? Obviously they did, even though several alerts were revealed. They were confident and went about their everyday lives, ignoring the warnings Noah tried to tell them of God’s judgment. Noah obeyed God’s instructions however: hammering, sawing, and building for 120 years. Even if he had never said a word, his pounding hammer rang a warning of what was to come. And apparently folks had never seen rain fall out of the sky before. “And every plant of the field and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth…” (Genesis 2:5).

Very often we take things for granted, as well. We feel safe in our homes, our jobs, and our lifestyle because we do not “see” anything different. And just as the bible predicts, we will carry on with our lives, eating and drinking and marrying.  36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away”. Matthew 24:36-39  Of course we know that after the world was washed away in Noah’s time, God set a (rain) bow in the sky to remind us that He would never again destroy the world by water. However, God does make it very clear that the earth as we know it will be abolished again one day. Despite many who try to predict the timing of the end of the world, or how the world will actually be destroyed; we can be certain of several things.

Just as in the days of Noah, God has grown weary and greatly displeased with the horrendous wickedness, lies, deceit, hatred, and evil of His people. The bible states He will send signs to change our ways or be destroyed. Do we not see those signs? God warns us that even the most elite (of believers) will be deceived. We will only see what we choose to see. Look at the people who lie to us, have no values or virtue, no conscience of others lives, or deceive us every single day. Do we not question those who are in powerful positions in our country or in our world? Do we just “follow along” due to political party affiliation or hopes of a better tomorrow? Do we not see the Christians who are put to death every day because of their beliefs in Jesus? Do we not see the signs God has clearly promised and provided to us? All of these things are happening right now.

4″Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. 9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:4-14  

I do not even pretend to know when God will finally say enough is enough, and put an end to the constant hatred, oppression, evil and civil and political unrest. That is not for me to know. But I do know that God has continually warned us over and over again, and I do know that I want to stand firm to the end, and to find favor with God. The true message here is that no one except Noah found favor with God. “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth …But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD”. (Genesis 6:5 -8) That is because Noah took the time to be in relationship with; earnestly pray; seek, and listen to God. Noah went against the grain of his generation. He consistently followed God’s will and chose a close relationship with Him, despite the jeering, unbelief and hatred of his neighbors.

Have you sincerely turned your life over to Jesus as your Savior? Do you feel the peace and power of His Spirit? Do you honestly and earnestly take the time to spend with God; to listen to Him when He warns of inappropriate choices, corruption or sin within our own lifetime? Our God is consistently faithful and loving. However, He does expect us to be in steady relationship with Him; to consistently seek Him with all of our heart, and pay heed to His “flood” warnings.

Easter is coming soon. Watch for my blog next week! Love to all!

In His precious Name,

Nanette