Proverbs 1:33

Divine love becomes conspicuous when it shines in the midst of judgments. Fair is that lone star which smiles through the rifts of the thunder clouds; bright is the oasis which blooms in the wilderness of sand; so fair and so bright is love in the midst of wrath.

When the Israelites provoked the Most High by their continued idolatry, He punished them by withholding both dew and rain, so that their land was visited by a severe famine. But while He did this, He took care that His own chosen ones should be secure. If all other brooks are dry, yet there will be one reserved for Elijah; and when that fails, God will still preserve for him a place of sustenance. Indeed, not only that, the Lord had not simply one Elijah, but He had a remnant according to the election of grace, who were hidden by fifties in a cave, and though the whole land was subject to famine, yet these fifties in the cave were fed, and fed from Ahab’s table too, by His faithful, God-fearing steward, Obadiah.

Let us from this draw the inference that, come what may, God’s people are safe. Let convulsions shake the solid earth, let the skies themselves be torn in two, yet amid the wreck of worlds the believer will be as secure as in the calmest hour of rest. If God cannot save His people under heaven, He will save them in heaven.

If the world becomes too hot to hold them, then heaven will be the place of their reception and their safety. Therefore, be confident when you hear of wars and rumors of wars. Let no agitation distress you, but be quiet from fear of evil. Whatever comes upon the earth, you, beneath the broad wings of Jehovah, will be secure. Steady yourselves upon His promise; rest in His faithfulness, and bid defiance to the blackest future, for there is nothing in it dreadful for you. Your sole concern should be to demonstrate to the world the blessedness of heeding the voice of wisdom.