Turn Around, Don’t Drown

Jeremiah 47: 1 – 7

Turn around, don’t drown

1 The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before Pharaoh attacked Gaza. 2 Thus says the LORD: “Behold, waters rise out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood; They shall overflow the land and all that is in it, the city and those who dwell within; Then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall wail. 3 At the noise of the stamping hooves of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers will not look back for their children, lacking courage, 4 Because of the day that comes to plunder all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper who remains; For the LORD shall plunder the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor. 5 Baldness has come upon Gaza, Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley. How long will you cut yourself? 6 “O you sword of the LORD, how long until you are quiet? Put yourself up into your scabbard, rest and be still! 7 How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD has given it a charge against Ashkelon and against the seashore? There He has appointed it.”

As I am composing today’s message I came across this article ‘Nearly half of college students want ‘In God We Trust’ off currency’

A new survey found almost half of college students think the phrase ‘In God We Trust’ should be removed from American currency, with over two-thirds of Democratic-leaning students favoring its elimination.

The poll found 53% said the motto should remain, while 45% believed it should be removed.

Female students were slightly more opposed to the motto staying on currency, whereas male students overwhelmingly supported it. Over 90% of students who said they lean Republican favored keeping the motto, and most students identifying as Independent agreed.

Students who opposed the motto argued it violated the separation of church and state.

“We live in a secular nation, not a theocracy. Best to remove,” said one Clemson University student.

‘I might not be a hotshot Clemson student, but I don’t think putting “God” on currency is the government choosing a particular religion to the exclusion of all other religions.’

Today’s topic is titled ‘Turn around, don’t drown.’ You see that chapter 47 speaks about two areas. – Spiritual and natural. Jeremiah speaks about rising waters which of course matches our title. The other deals with our Holy God’s warning for people to turn around from their sinful evil ways before the deluge falls on them. The words ‘turn around’ refers to ‘repentance.’

Like the attitude of students who have been influenced by the so-called institution of higher learning that we can be the captains of our lives with having God interfere. We need to understand that He Is a Righteous God and will not be just an ‘Emergency God.’ Isn’t it true that when the floods of life come into everyone’s life then people will cry out to be saved.

A couple of men were placing a few signs up in front of their church. They read, ‘Be Aware, danger ahead’, ‘Stop and consider your life’, ‘Turn around, don’t drown.’

A guy driving down the road spotted the church men and pulled over to them. He rolled down his window and shouted at them. ‘You stinking religious nuts, why don’t you mind your own business and quit trying to push your junk on others.’ He then sped away while the two men watched him drive down the road.

In a few minutes the church volunteers heard a loud screeching of tires followed by a loud ‘splash’. The men looked at each other and one commented, ‘Maybe we should have just said on one sign, ‘Bridge out’.

When we refuse to ‘repent’ or ‘Turn Around’ from the sinful lives then we face the dangers of life alone. Many of these are real natural disasters. Interesting enough the people of Florida are facing a level 3 hurricane called Dorian that will hit the coast starting in two days. Do they just stay and wait the storm out and hope it misses them or do they flee now for their lives?

Each year, flooding causes more deaths than any other weather hazard. Most of these drownings and could be prevented—if people better understood the force and power of rushing floodwater. Whether driving or walking, save your life, and the lives of your children and other family members or traveling companions. When you see flood waters ahead: Turn Around Don't Drown.

More than half of all flood-related drownings occur when vehicles are swept away because their drivers attempted to travel through flood water. Many drive around flood barriers because they mistakenly believe their 3,000 pound or more vehicle is so heavy it will stay in contact with the road surface. Think about that for a moment: aircraft carriers weighing 97,000 tons float. Vehicles, including ships, float because of buoyancy.