"Storm-Ready"

They heard a storm was coming,

But they never gave it heed,

Paid it no attention,

Thought there was no need.

And when it started raining,

Beasts were all paired up,

Still thought it was crazy,

No more worries than a pup.

The boat looked big and clumsy,

The man looked old and bent,

No reason to believe it,

That God His word has sent.

And yet the flood did happen,

And the Good Lord shut them in,

But those who were not ready,

Died drowning in their sin.

You might just doubt the story,

And think it’s all a lie,

But before you choose that option,

Think of that Jesus guy.

Who said that He was coming,

And how they’d know just when,

Like in the days of Noah,

Would be returning then.

The point that He was making

Is that He’d come for sure,

But many won’t be ready,

Or believe Christ is the cure.

So maybe you just heard it,

A storm is on the way,

They’re not quite sure how strong yet,

Or just the time of day.

But people know it’s coming,

They know just what to do,

They want to be storm-ready,

More safe than sorry, too.

As in the days of Noah,

When God sent that big storm,

So with the second coming,

God, help our lives transform.

“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day…” (Luke 17:26, NLT)

When Jesus said this to His disciples they did not really understand it. When people hear or read this now, very few understand it. But it’s not because the knowledge is for an elite few. To the contrary, Jesus was making a universal point when He used the days of Noah as a example. What was the point? It was that when He returned to the earth, most people would just be carrying on “business as usual.” They will not be living for Him or expecting Him. They will just be doing their own thing when Jesus interrupts history for good. As one person phrased it, “When Jesus blows the whistle everybody gets out of the pool!” There are many volumes written about the what, how and when of Jesus’ return. But one of the simple, profound things about it is not confusing. It’s very simple, but no less profound: People will be clueless, just like in Noah’s day. But they don’t have to be! And the good news is that He wants everyone to know. Let’s spread the word!

Lord, help us point people to the great reality of Your grace before it is forever too late, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bill Anton, billantonstudio.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Bill, and God bless you.