Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,
you who do what he commands.
Seek righteousness, seek humility;
perhaps you will be sheltered
on the day of the Lord’s anger.

When the Lord decides it’s time to straighten things out, it can be a pretty rough ride! Such a time could very well be upon us right now, so this verse is extremely pertinent. The term, collateral damage, has become sadly familiar even among the general public since the Oklahoma City bombing of several years ago, and today we hear it almost continually. This verse is telling those who are right with God how to avoid becoming collateral damage in the day of the Lord’s wrath. The important thing is not to run from the Lord, but run to Him in humble obedience. We are not to seek safety as such, as we might humanly perceive safety, but rather to seek righteousness and Christ-likeness. If we are focused on “How can I get out of this,” we won’t be abiding in Christ, who is the only safe refuge. I’m reminded of the two missionaries who recently recovered from the Ebola virus. If they had been seeking their own safety in the first place, they would never have been in Africa in the middle of an epidemic! However, the Lord was gracious to them and has given them opportunity to give clear testimony, which they are taking. We’ve got to remember that whatever is going on around us, our physical survival isn’t the true goal, but rather that we be God’s instruments to do His will for His glory.

I’ve never been in extreme circumstances for the sake of the Lord, but the way the world looks today, that time could come. I am to remember that I too am worthy of wrath, but that by the grace of God I am safe in Christ by faith. I am to seek to exercise all righteousness and gentleness (as this verse says in Japanese) to draw as many as will come to Christ, who is the only safe hiding place. Every event, every news report, should cause me to seek God more and more, and not simply make me anxious because I can’t see any human solutions. There is every reason for those who don’t know Christ to be anxious, so I should make use of every opportunity I am given to share the good news of Christ, not with any hint of holier-than-thou but with genuine love and humility, to give people every opportunity to be saved.

Father, thank You for Your faithfulness, and that You are a safe haven indeed. Thank You for what You have been teaching me recently about refusing anxiety and trusting You. Help me keep growing in that area, so that more and more people will ask me to explain the hope that I have and I will be able to share Christ with them, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!