Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. Psalm 57:1 NIV
Many dogs are being evacuated from the south as Hurricanes threaten to hit the United States. The forecasts are ominous and families are driving to safety with their pets. Shelters and pet organizations are making arrangements for transportation to move animals north and away from danger.
Some passengers would rather not go north. They do not understand the consequences of staying and are quite scared. I helped transport a puppy who stayed in the back of her cage shaking. She had been separated from her mother as her mother was heartworm positive and would only be able to follow after receiving treatment. Another two-year old dog loved to ride in cars but it took over an hour of snarling, growling and biting to coax her into a car.
To evacuate means the removal of persons or things from an endangered area. Even when a mandatory evacuation is declared, some people choose to stay. Many go and leave their pets behind but police do not go door to door and force people to leave.
Lots of people do not know where to go or have the means to leave their homes. Many don’t know what to do with their pets. Some are disabled and others believe their homes will withstand the storm. Evacuation routes are in place for disasters and shelters are available for people and pets to inhabit to wait out the weather.
The bible makes it clear that Jesus is our evacuation route. There is no other way that we can escape the dangers and perils of this world but through Him. Acts 4:12 tells us, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Hebrews 11:5 says that Enoch was taken away without dying because he pleased God. II Kings 2:11 tells of Elijah being taken up to heaven in a whirlwind riding a chariot of fire. Jesus himself was taken up into heaven while his disciples watched. Our escape route might not be quite so dramatic but I Corinthians 15:52 states, “In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” We will escape this world and be with Christ.
Some of us might not want to leave our loved ones behind. We might not think it is necessary to have an escape route in place. Many of us think we are fine just as we are. We might not have heard of the coming storm and think we can withstand anything that comes our way. We are scared; shaking, biting and snarling at anyone that is trying to tell us of Jesus.
Jesus is waiting. He is there in all the storms of life. Take refuge in him until the disaster has passed. He is your place of safety and the only escape we have in which to place our hope.
Just Another Dog Devotion 