Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. (Luke 17:26-30)
Last week I was on vacation with my sister, niece, and six-year-old great nephew. We went to St. Petersburg beach, and my daughter and son-in-law were with us. While we were packing up the portable pavilion, my great nephew got lost. We prayed as we searched for him, first in places of danger, then up and down the beach. The police and many strangers joined our hunt. The search lasted about a half hour. During that time it never left our minds that someone could’ve taken him. It’s human nature to assume the worst. But we prayed for protection, and two women from Indiana found him. They protected him and wouldn’t release him to a man who was helping us search. Even though they gave him to my son-in-law because my great nephew knew him, they continued to follow until my son-in-law told the police he was found. We discovered there are still many caring people of all races, both Democrats and Republicans, willing to unite for a cause.
When Noah was building the ark, all his neighbors bullied him. The Bible tells us Noah’s family was the only good family alive. In the time of Lot, no one living in Sodom and Gomorrah was good, not even Lot, but Abraham convinced God to save Lot and his family. We read yesterday when the Son of Man is revealed lightning will light up the sky, and Jesus will come down from heaven. Hebrews 9:28 tells us: “So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”
At the Rapture when Jesus comes again, He’ll save those who believe and have asked Jesus to save them, those who have prepared to live eternity with Him. Some assume the message of this Scripture is that everyone will be wicked at the time of Jesus’ second coming like they were in Sodom and Gomorrah and when Noah was building the arc. But Jesus doesn’t say that here. He says in the time of Noah, everyone was partying and marrying. In the time of Lot, some people were partying and some were living everyday lives, buying and selling, planting and building. But none prayed; none had a relationship with God through Jesus. None were prepared to spend an eternity with God. Jesus warns us to be prepared and help prepare others by spreading His kingdom because we don’t know the day or hour Jesus will return.
Father God, I’m prepared for when Jesus comes again, but some of my family and friends are not. I pray for __________. Please let them believe that Jesus is their Savior. If it’s me you want to guide them to Your kingdom, show me how and give me the opportunity and words because You are the only One who knows their hearts. Help me find others in need, so I can pass on Your love to them also. In Your Son’s precious and Holy name I pray, amen.
That was the scariest half hour of my life. I am still not over it because every time I think of him being lost and afraid I cry, and when I think of what the family went through until we knew he was safe, was all so terrifying. The good that came from the bad, was seeing how people cared about a little boy that was lost. They did not know him, yet they prayed for him and searched for him. It was amazing to see the love and kindness. The first thing so many people did was pray. Once he was found people were crying and still praying that God had protected Trey. Many people are prepared for the second coming of Christ. Yet, I know some that are not. I pray for the unprepared person, that they will have a positive experience that will show them how God and Jesus are there for us, every minute of everyday.
Pray for God to let you get over it. Being lost in the past with negative thoughts doesn’t help you. There is nothing to grieve. Be thankful and move on. I’ll pray for you.
Some people can not get over PTSD. They seek counseling and are medicated but it is hard to recover from trauma. Men in the service have a very difficult time and unfortunately, the suicide rate is very high. I have had it twice, mildly. When Drew had the bleed out at home and then with Trey. Thankfully, mine was not so bad as what some people experience and everyday the trauma of both situations eases up. In both cases I had nothing to grieve and yet it was there. Prayer has helped. I am so grateful to still have Drew and Trey.
PTSD is horrible for those who have been in the service. I’m glad you are working through your situations with Drew and Trey. Praying for you as always.