(The Lord said) "So you, son of man, I have made a watchman
for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, you shall give
them warning from Me." Ezekiel 33:7
It was after dark when Police Chief Jerry Peralta pulled up in front of the
oceanfront units of the Richelieu Apartments in Pass Christian, Mississippi.
A man with a drink in his hand came out to the second-floor balcony and waved.
Peralta yelled up, "You all need to clear out of here as quickly as you can. The
storm is getting worse." But as others joined the man on the balcony, they just
laughed at Peralta's order to leave.
"This is my land," one of them yelled back, "If you want me off, you'll have to
arrest me."
Peralta didn't arrest anyone, but he wasn't able to persuade them to leave
either. Sadly, the chief wrote down the names of the next of kin of the 20
partiers. They were amused as he took their names. Some even thanked Peralta,
and then they shared, "I'm sure we will be just fine."
It was 10:15 p.m. when the front wall of the storm came ashore.
Scientists clocked Camille's wind speed at more than 205 miles per hour, at that
time, the strongest on record. Raindrops hit with the force of bullets, and
waves off the Gulf Coast crested between 22 and 28 feet high.
News reports later showed that the worst damage came at the little settlement of
motels, go-go bars, and gambling houses known as Pass Christian, Mississippi.
It was there that 20 people were killed at a hurricane party held at the
Richelieu Apartments. Nothing was left of that three-story structure but the
foundation; the only survivor was a five-year-old boy found clinging to a
mattress the following day. Those people died because they failed to hear the
words of the watchman!
There is little doubt that many other people are going to die for eternity
because they refuse to listen to the Lord's words, which are being shared by
God's earthly watchman. All too often when the pulpit proclaims, "This is a sin"
or "That is a transgression" people reply, "Maybe in the days of Moses and
Ezekiel and Peter, but not now." When folks are encouraged to repent, they
refuse. When they are asked by their church to remain faithful to the Word, many
prefer to find a church that says, "You are okay just the way you are."
Understand, I am not saying every sentence spoken by a pastor, priest, professor
or church leader is the Gospel truth.
Coming from a fellow sinner, we can be pretty sure that every once in a while
errors, faults and flaws will creep in. But when a watchman shares the Word as
it was given, when he condemns that, which our just God has condemned, and when
He shares the forgiveness and grace that was won for us by Jesus on Calvary's
cross, then it is time to pay attention.
If we do, God will be glorified, our watchman will be able to give a good
account, and the listener will have the peace of knowing he has done as the Lord
has asked.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, right now we pray for those we know who have disregarded
the words of the watchman and the call of the Holy Spirit. There is great danger
they will soon be swept away. For them I pray this: while there is still time
let them hear and be brought to repentance and salvation. Let them hear and
follow the Savior who gave Himself for us. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Pastor Ken Klaus Lutheran Hour Ministries All rights reserved; not to be duplicated without permission.
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