It’s a wee bit windy here in the Walla Walla Valley. The wind blew all last night, with gusts up to 50 mph. Trash cans have been turned over and blown into the street, branches are broken, and anything not secured is in danger of blowing a way. I tried to go for my morning walk, but had to turn back, because I was being knocked back and forth by the wind.
Wind has enormous power for change. The Bible speaks of “four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, hold back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or any tree.” (Revelation 7:1). The four angels are instructed to hold back the wind until God can “put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” (v. 3).
I knew the wind we are experiencing in Walla Walla were coming. We’d seen the forecast, so we were not surprised, so we had time to prepare, to make sure everything that might blow away was secure. But even though we knew the winds were coming, we didn’t realize they would be this strong.
Likewise, we know God will not hold back the “winds of strife” from this earth forever. A day is coming in the near future when those winds will be loosed and there will be “a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then.” (Daniel 12:1a).
Just as we knew the winds were coming, so we know difficult times lie ahead for this earth. But don’t need to be afraid, because we are promised that “at that time [God’s] people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.” (Daniel 12:1b).
No, we don’t need to be afraid, but we do need to be prepared. Now is the time to get your life right with God, “now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Give Jesus your heart today. Don’t wait until tomorrow.
The winds of strife are coming. Today “put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13).