Prepared for Stormy Times

In 1929, as America entered a great economic depression, rain stopped falling throughout many of the Plains states. Excessive planting and grazing had left the topsoil depleted. Earth began blowing, and dust clouds swept across the prairie, often extending thousands of feet into the sky, rolling “like moving mountains.” Dust was everywhere, penetrating everything.

By May 1934, the drought covered more than 75 percent of the country. By the end of 1934, 100 million acres in crops had lost all or most of the topsoil. And millions more would be lost in the coming months.

In his book on the “Dust Bowl,” Timothy Egan describes how many suffered from “dust pneumonia.” Often, people couldn’t see their hands in front of their faces. Animals were confused. “Cattle went blind and suffocated…horses ran madly against the storms.”

Yet, while millions suffered, many throughout the country and the world didn’t believe the accounts. It just didn’t seem possible. However, eyes were opened in May 1934 when a dust storm moved eastward, dropping 12 million tons of dust on Chicago. Even ships as far as three hundred miles off the Atlantic coast were blanketed with dust.

Finally, the rains came in 1939. But those who had been impacted by the drought were left devastated by the destruction of the dust storms.

The Bible promises that storms will come on the earth. There will be a time of judgment when God will call everyone to account for their lives to face the consequences of their actions. Yet many aren’t prepared, and many refuse to heed the warnings. Today, make sure you are ready. Dedicate your life to bringing the Gospel to a lost and dying world.