“Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause very heavy hail to rain down, such as has not been in Egypt since its founding until now. 19 Therefore send now and gather your livestock and all that you have in the field, for the hail shall come down on every man and every animal which is found in the field and is not brought home; and they shall die.” 20 He who feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his livestock flee to the houses. 21 But he who did not regard the word of the Lord left his servants and his livestock in the field.” Exodus 9:18 - 21
On occasion, I like to watch the show “Mountain Men”. It is about men who live off the land and build a life based on the work of their own hands. A couple of these men are ranchers. They live in a part of the nation where there are wide open ranges and grazing land for livestock. Often, you will find them out on the range watching their livestock because danger lurks. Wolves, Coyotes, Cougars, Bears, etc. are just waiting to pounce on them for a daily meal.
As well, they are also looking at weather patterns, especially in the winter. When necessary, they will corral them in an area where they can be supervised and protected. Sometimes, they will even bring some animals inside barns in order to provide extra protection.
In our text, we find a warning to livestock owners. They are warned that trouble is coming in the form of a hailstorm and any livestock left unprotected will suffer great harm. You will notice in the text that both servants and livestock were brought into houses to be protected from the hailstorm. Now, I’m sure that the word “houses”, means shelter here. However, the visual is entertaining.
This brings me to my thought for the day because I bring to your attention the fact that a coming storm is at hand. In addition, creation is moaning for redemption. For those with spiritual discernment, you can feel it, hear it, taste it, and see it. Yet, God is so gracious, He often gives prior notice concerning biblical accountability, just like He did in Exodus 9.
• What if the war in Israel is a precursor to the Rapture?
• What if this war gets so bad, it eventually leads to nations coming together to sign a seven-year peace treaty?
• What if China, Russia, and Iran make an alliance such as the Bible predicts?
• What if the nations of the world end up gathering at the Valley of Megiddo because of this latest war?
Is it possible that God is giving us a “heads up” on what is about to happen? I think so. Why does God reveal His plans in advance?
A Concern for ACTION
Prior to the plague of hail in Egypt, God warned the people to protect their livestock: "This time tomorrow I will cause a heavy hailstorm ... now give orders for your livestock and everything else you have in the open to be put under shelter. Hail will fall on the people and animals left outside unprotected, and they will all die."
Some of the king's officials believed what the LORD had said, and they brought their servants and livestock indoors for shelter. Others paid no attention to the LORD’s warning and left their servants and livestock out in the open" (Ex. 9:18-21). When the hail stones fell, they perished.
In Acts 11:28-29, a prophet named Agabus predicted that a severe famine was about to come over all the earth. Hearing the warning, the disciples decided that each of them would send as much as each could to help their fellow believers who lived in Judea. I believe that recent events are a call to action … at home … and abroad. Go to www.ministrytoisrael.com and help the Church of God minister to broken lives.
Also, ask yourself, “what else can I do”? Take inventory of your life and your family. Who do you need to be praying for? Who do you need to have a conversation with? Perhaps God is extending to us a period of grace so that we can get our house in order and bring our loved one safely in for shelter.
A Commitment to RIGHTEOUSNESS
When Jonah announced Nineveh's impending destruction "the people of Nineveh believed God's message. So, they decided that everyone should fast, and all the people, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth to show that they had repented" (Jonah 3:5). When Jezebel seduced the church at Thyatira into idolatry and immorality, Jesus said, "I have given her time to repent of her sins ..." (Rev. 2:21).
I beg of you to keep your spiritual house in order. Be like David in Psalm 51, “Purge (rid) me with hyssop (plant used in purification), and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. [8] Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. [9] Hide thy face from my sins and blot out all mine iniquities. [10] Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
If Paul understood that he could sin daily, who are we to think that we are more righteous than he? My brothers and sisters, my desire is to spend eternity with you and your families. I want to encourage you to pray for your family members and loved ones today.
A Confident ASSURANCE
To prepare His disciples for the cross and beyond, Jesus said to them, "I have told you this now before it all happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe" (John 14:29).
When Satan asked permission to test Peter, Jesus warned him in advance in order to assure him that He had already prayed for him (Luke 22:31). Knowing in advance tells us that God has not been taken by surprise ... that He has everything under control ... the He cared enough to let us know ahead of time. If God is present at the commencement of the battle, He will be present once the battle is over!
Take note and be encouraged today because your Redeemer authored these words, “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Luke 21:28
A Call to PREPARATION
God's plan to preserve Jacob's family from starvation began many years before the famine arrived in Egypt. He chose Joseph ... arranged his trip to Egypt ... directed his training ... orchestrated his rise to power ... gave Pharaoh a dream ... gave Joseph the interpretation ... and then gave them seven more years to grow and store enough food to feed the people.
Proverbs 22:3 says, "A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences."
Don’t stop working and don’t cease to pray until all your horses are in the barn. Friends, we are living in the season of the Lord’s return. People from every tribe and nation are all invited to a dinner. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb is soon at hand. The invitation was given at Calvary and the precious blood of Jesus was the ink that God used to sign your personal invitation. Let’s be bold in our proclamation that Jesus is Lord and He is ready to receive His Bride. Let’s live a life of attraction, like a magnet drawing others to His saving grace. Be an evangelist not only in word, but also in deed. Let your life be a light that helps others navigate the coming storm. Help me gather in the lost and let them know that Jesus is the only remedy for this sin sick world.