If you do not subscribe to this daily devotional, you are missing out on writings of one of the most simple, uncluttered, true messages of today.  Every day these messages get me going!  b.

The Day of Salvation
by John Fischer

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

Don’t let anyone tell you these hurricanes are the judgment of God upon anyone. If this is the judgment of God, the rest of us got off easy.

When the tsunami hit last December, there were theories of it being a punishment on Muslims.Apparently some Muslims in the Middle East are now stating that Katrina and Rita are punishment for America's involvement in Iraq. Taking this view assumes that my viewpoint is all encompassing and equal to the viewpoint of God, since I know whatGod is thinking and can explain His actions. Unless I was convinced that I was Ezekiel incarnate (and if I ever am, lock me up, please), I wouldn’t utter a word about God’s judgment.

The Bible is very clear about the fact that God is currently withholding his wrath for a day of judgment which is to come, and you can be certain there will be no doubt about that one, when it comes. (2 Peter 3:3-7) Until that time, this is an age of God’s favor; this is the “day of salvation.” In other words, God is holding back His judgment on wickedness and evil to allow for all to hear his message of salvation in Christ, and respond to His free gift of salvation through Christ’s death on the cross.

This is also why bad people seem to get away with being bad. It’s only for a season. Because, at the same time, many people are responding to God’s grace and being made good in the process. “Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience (allowing wickedness to go unpunished) means salvation” (2 Peter 3:15). If we all got what we deserved, our ancestors would have drowned in the floodwaters of God’s wrath eons ago. We would never have existed. The mere fact that we are alive is an attribute of God’s grace.

It is also true that when calamities arise, people are more prone to call upon God. If, as a result of this earthly devastation, more people turn to God, is it not possible that even this “act of God” ends in salvation for many who might not have considered it otherwise? “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?” Jesus said (Matthew 16:26). Could it not also be said that to lose your whole world, but gain your soul, might just be worth it?

	John Fischer is the Senior Writer for Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotionals. He resides in Southern California with his wife, Marti and son, Chandler. They also have two adult children, Christopher and Anne. John is a published author and popular speaker.
	Click HERE to sign up for The Better Life, an e-newsletter brought to you by PurposeDrivenLife.com, with articles by Rick Warren and other insightful writers. To see a sample of The Better Life, click HERE.