Sound the Alarm

This time last summer we were in the middle of our road trip around the country.  It was an interesting journey, filled with beautiful scenery, good food, and new experiences.  And alarms.

In Bozeman, Montana, we were sleeping very soundly until we rudely awakened from our sleep by the blaring of the fire alarm.

We happened to be in Oak Brook, Illinois on the day for routine testing of all the smoke detectors and the alarm system in the hotel where we were staying.  As a result, all morning long, alarms were sounding.

That same evening, Al and I were both startled by the sound of an alarm coming from our phones.  It was a severe weather alert, warning of the possibility of flash flooding due to storms in the area.

Later that evening, another alarm sounded as a tornado warning was issued.

If you live in an area prone to tornadoes or other storms, you likely are familiar with the sound of the storm alarm as well, particularly at this time of year.

Alarms are important.  An alarm is defined as any sound, outcry, or information intended to warn of approaching danger. 

Paul Revere sounded an alarm to warn that the British were coming.  The fire alarm warns of impending danger from fire.  The storm alarm alerts us to danger from a coming hurricane or tornado or severe thunderstorm.

The Old Testament prophet Joel had something to say about alarms.

"The day of the LORD is near, and it will come as destruction from the Almighty.  Blow a trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm on My holy mountain!  For the day of the LORD is coming; surely it is near."  (Joel 1:15; 2:1 NASB)

Blow a trumpet.  Sound an alarm.  The day of the Lord is near.

If it was near in the prophet Joel's day, how much nearer is it now!

It is time for us to be sounding the alarm.  It is time for us to wake up and pay attention.  It is time that we who name the Name of Jesus are about the business of sharing Him with others.  It is time for us to wake up!  It is time for us to be sounding the alarm! 

The day of the Lord is near, much nearer than ever before.  And we live in a world where we are surrounded by people who need to know Jesus!

People need the Lord. People need to know Jesus in a personal way, not just to know about Him.  And people need to know that Jesus is coming again, that the day of the Lord is near.

It's time to sound the alarm!

 

"People, get ready.  Jesus is coming." (lyrics by Crystal Lewis)

 

 



"Knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed."  (Romans 13:11 NASB)