The Mystery of the WWII Navy Plane

When did the plane crash--during WWII or after it was decommissioned? Where is the pilot? Are there living relatives who have mourned his loss all these years? Many questions surround this recent discovery of the CurtissSB2C Helldiver that was found near Rockaway Beach, Oregon. We may never know the answers to all of them.

But God does.

God knows the plane, the pilot, and the mission. He witnessed the crash, the pain, and the confusion surrounding the man who never returned.

Why didn't He share this knowledge years ago? I can't answer that. But I have walked with God long enough to know that His ways are not our ways: they are infinitely better. And when I can't figure them out, I do well to simply trust Him.

What about the pilot? We can hope that, if he wasn't already a believer, he had time (even a moment) to make his peace with God who is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

What about the family? God is compassionate and gracious. One can only hope that the loss of their loved one caused them to draw closer to God and that they are even now reunited with their loved one and enjoying the pleasures of heaven.

A team of Navy investigators is on the scene and will make their findings known in time.

For each of us, the lingering question should be: When my life comes to a screeching halt, where will I spend eternity?

The Promise of An End to Earthly Suffering. (And Then What?)

This morning, amid piles of furniture and clutter and dust, we cleared a spot in the living room and shared a bagel. Our house has been torn up for a week while installers finish the new floor. In the end, it will be worth it, but the days drag on.

Then I think of the Haitians who see no end to their displacement . . . or our neighbor who lies in bed waiting for an end to his suffering. What do you say to ease their pain? This, too, shall pass?

One way or the other, there will be an end to earthly suffering. And then what? 

For some, joy will come in the morning. But for those who haven't made peace with God, their future suffering will be far worse than anything they experienced on earth.

Brothers and sisters, forgive me for preaching . . . but we must not allow ourselves to become complacent where the souls of the lost are concerned. Like Noah, we must continue to tell an unbelieving world that judgment is coming . . . judgment that will make our earthly troubles seem as trivial as sharing a bagel in the living room. 
 
God's desire is that all should come to repentance. May we love the world even as He does!

The Promise of Safety

Read the daily paper. Listen to the news. Follow local politics. Watch the latest State of the Union speech. Honestly, how safe do you feel?

Analyze this:

"Fear of man will prove to be a snare,

But whoever trusts in the LORD

is kept safe."

~Proverbs 29:25

If it's true that everyone who trusts in the LORD is kept safe, why don't people flock to Him in droves?

It's a long story, dating back to the Garden of Eden where Satan unveiled his plan to wrest the hearts and souls of men away from the LORD. His foul tactics haven't changed since he first cast doubt on God's love for man and His ability to provide all we need. 

Satan doesn't care whether we pledge allegiance to him or to our own brilliance. His only mission is to lead us away from God--to turn us against the One who offers eternal life and safety. Satan hurls his poison darts at the apples of God's eye in an attempt to break His heart and overthrow His kingdom.

Is God afraid of Satan? Is He trembling in His heavens?

Hardly. As always, His concern is for us . . . that we not choose to follow the serpent, the father of lies. God is not willing that any should perish, and Jesus calls on men to see through Satan's deception.

"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?"

~Mark 8:36

We must shun the empty promises of the world, the flesh, and the devil. If we keep our eyes on God, we need not fear anyone. The battle has already been fought, and God won.

 

"Sing to the LORD a new song;

for he hath done marvelous things;

his right hand and his holy arm

have gotten him the victory."

~Psalm 98:1 KJV

Cling to the LORD, for He alone is mighty to save! And He loves to bless His children.