Zephaniah 1:12-13 “And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil. Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.”
Psalm 81:11-13 “But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels. Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!”
Every year on this day, I remember one of the most impactful moments in my life – the eruption of Mount St Helens. The sound of the eruption and the spewing mushroom cloud of ash was an awe-inspiring sight and dream come true for a volcano-loving, seven-year-old boy.
It was no surprise that an eruption was looming. A dome of volcanic material was growing in the crater as described daily by the local news. Authorities had established a mandatory evacuation order around the base of the mountain, directing all residents and visitors to a safe distance until further notice. There were even songs by local bands chronicling the impending disaster.
As far as I remember, there was only one person who refused to abide by the evacuation order. Not to be confused with President Harry S. Truman, old-timer Harry R. Truman, owner of Spirit Lake Lodge at the base of the mountain, famously, defiantly, and complacently stood his ground and said, “The mountain ain’t going to hurt me.” However, around 8:30 on the beautiful morning of May 18th, 1980, it did.
Before the thunderous explosion of the eruption reached my young ears, Truman was covered by over 150 feet of volcanic debris. No one has seen him or Spirit Lake Lodge since.
Too many Christians today in America are watching the looming disaster of secularism and selfishness grow all around us with defiance and complacency. The lava dome of immorality is ready to burst. We marvel at the looming mountain as if we are waiting to be buried by the eruption that is possible at any moment.
Yet, we fail to hearken unto His voice and are comfortably settled on our lees as we defiantly stand our ground.
PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO SHAKE OFF OUR COMPLACENY AND DEFIANCE, AND ENGAGE WITH ALL OUR MIGHT TO WRESTLE OUR NATION BACK TO WHERE WE BELONG FOR THE LORD. As we are settled on our lees, we are defying God Himself and are complacently ignoring His warnings.
