It seems we are living in a time when the shockingly unexpected is happening with amazing frequency. One month ago the government of Egypt collapsed with the resignation of its president after almost 30 years in power. On Feb. 22, just 17 days ago, a huge earthquake demolished Christchurch, New Zealand, a beloved city where I spent considerable time and where I have numerous friends (some of whom I helped lead to Christ). Then just 2 days ago another earthquake, vastly stronger than the one that wrecked Christchurch, devastated the east coast of Japan and sent fear of tsunamis across the entire Pacific. As we assemble here this morning thousands of people’s lives have been either ended or wrecked as result of these and other unexpected calamitous occurrences. Even as I was writing this article, TV news reported another huge 7.9 magnitude earthquake hit near the South Pacific island of Tonga. Who knows what the destructive result of this quake will be?
Is there really any safety and security available on this violent planet where we all live out our lives?
The One whom we meet here today to worship speaks to this question. Is there maybe a chance these world-wide shocking events could prompt us to the urgency of paying careful attention to the only Person who has the power and care to make us secure? To you and me He says:
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)“I will never fail you nor forsake you.” Hence we can confidently say, “The
Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 11:5-6)“Every one then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a
wise man who built his house upon the rock.” (Matthew 7:24)
What will the next shocking news story be? Might it just be that the “day of the Lord” has apparently arrived? Will the next “big story” have a lead line like, “Spectacular Events Unfolding in the Sky?” Or maybe they will say, “Millions In Terror Over Unexplained Phenomena in the Heavens.”
What if our Lord returned today? If this were tomorrow morning’s news, would YOU feel secure and safe?
Three little words, spoken by Jesus, contain the instructions about how to have this priceless security. You read them above. They are: “Come unto Me.”