Red Sky

   My Father told me a poem as a youngster that went, "Red sky in morning, sailors take warning. Red sky at night, sailors take delight." I had used it for years and often found it to be true. I even found out later that there was some scientific evidence that explained how it took place. If I remember it right, when certain ice crystals are sent out in advance of foul weather, it will affect the color of the sky. I was excited when I saw the same principle in the Bible. Matthew 16:2-3 says, " He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?”

       Predicting the coming of a storm was something that people were able to do even in the times of the Lord Jesus Christ and was dependent upon when the red sky was seen, either in the morning or in the evening. The Lord Jesus Christ, however, was pointing out another important lesson rather than giving a class on Meteorology. He went on to say that you can predict the weather by looking at the sky but you can't discern the signs of the times even though they are just as recognizable as the color of the sky. One could probably say that very same thing in every generation and the problem is not due to ignorance of plain facts, but of the condition of the heart. Debates are going on today in the circles of supposedly well educated, degree holding people, some more, some less, and they still can't see the real problem and its natural solution. We see violence taking place with people shooting each other and decide that we we need more laws on the books to take care of the situation. We read about people leaving their newborn babies in dumpsters and condemning the people involved while at the same time doing their best to abort babies at any time during and soon after the pregnancy. If the Lord Jesus Christ were walking the streets of any city He could declare, “...O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky, but can ye not discern the signs of the times?” The issue at hand is the spiritual condition of the people. No amount of educational degrees can change the heart of mankind. No amount of laws on the books can correct the problems of society. People have an itch that they can't scratch and building a bigger back scratcher isn't going to solve the problem. The answer for today is the same as it was in the days of Nicodemus. “Ye must be born again.” Unfortunately, the world is also filled with people who want to “abort” spiritual birth as much as physical birth. The problem is further complicated when we have pastors who don't believe in the Word of God or that the Bible is filled with errors or that even the Lord Jesus Christ made mistakes. The Bible declares that the Lord Jesus Christ was sinless, tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin. Christ has the answer and Christ IS the answer. The next time you see a red sky, whether it be in morning or evening, think about what Christ said almost 2,000 years ago. You should be able to also see the signs of the times. Praise God that He has everything under His control.