A Safe Place To Dwell

As I contemplate the things going on in the world, the thought often comes to my mind, "I am glad I live where I do!" Then I get a little reminder from God that His hand can reach here too! There are wars in the Middle East; Israel is still being troubled; Our troops are facing danger and death daily; terrorist threats plague our cities; a new flu epidemic seems in the offing; hurricanes and floods destroy a large segment of our nation, even as the world still reels from a tsunami.

Recently, after congratulating myself on our choice of retirement locations, I found myself sitting smugly and safe in an evening service. A visiting missionary was telling of the work he was about to undertake in one of our major cities.

Then it happened; It was like my mother thumping me on the head and telling me to pay attention. It was like the boot camp D.I. cracking the top of my pith helmet with his swagger-stick and yelling, "Listen up, boot!" A small earthquake made the walls creak, and the people to gasp. No one moved: We are used to such occurrences here. I gave out with a loud "Amen"; the pastor chuckled, and the services continued without a hitch.

Why the ‘Amen’? It seemed to me that God was letting us know that however safe we think ourselves to be, we are not beyond His reach. The same comforting thought, concerning His protecting arms, should also give pause to those who consider themselves beyond His reach in judgment!
Oba 1:4 Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.

Come to think of it, the only truly safe place to dwell today, as it has ever been, is IN CHRIST!
1 Cor 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Be ever aware of the world around you, but keep your eyes on Christ!
Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

freddie