The Lord our Firewall

​I had no sooner finished sending out our email about Tammuz 17 and the significant events that occurred for the people of Israel on that date, when fire sirens began to blow. We were about to have our own Tammuz 17 encounter. The sirens got louder and louder until I realized fire engines were coming to the building we live in along with seven other families. A total of four fire trucks, including an aerial ladder truck, pulled into our parking lot. Along with them came an ambulance, three police vehicles, and two PECO trucks. One could smell the smoke from the fire that was coming from our next-door neighbor's condominium.
 
We learned later that the fire started when a charging cell phone exploded. The firemen put on their suits and then they went to work. First, they broke the bedroom window where the fire burned. Thick black smoke poured out of the window. The hose was attached to the fire hydrant and ran to the front door and up the stairs of the second-story condo so water could be poured on the fire. The lone teenager was out of the unit, but his cat was trapped upstairs. Four firemen went inside looking for her and were able to rescue her.
 
As I stood on my deck watching all the activity at our neighbor's condo, I began to wonder if we needed to evacuate and, if so, what I should grab and bring to safety. I could feel the panic begin to set in. Now, I know that Scripture tells us that our treasures are in heaven, but I confess that I have earthly treasures that I have collected over the years. I have multiple Bibles with personal notes in them, books that I have read and kept, and photographs showing treasured moments with family and friends. In addition, I have collected shells, rocks, and souvenirs from various sites I have visited. Then, there is my "Wesley" clock that God arranged for me to purchase after I fell in love with it at the store. I could go on!
 
I was put at ease when one of the firefighters yelled to me that he would like to come upstairs and check our bedroom to be sure there were no hot spots. He explained to me that there is a firewall between our units. It was doing its job of protecting us, which meant we did not have to evacuate. Praise God! Just after the fireman left, peace started to invade my soul as I remembered Scriptures. The first one that came to mind was Isaiah 43:1-3. "But now, this is what the Lord says—He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: Fear not for I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior..."  
 
The Lord is our firewall! This word, I learned, can apply to construction or computer network traffic. In construction it is a fire-resistant wall that compartmentalizes a building. In computer transmissions, it is a barrier between a trusted network and an untrusted one. My attention has now been shifted to all the people in our nation who are dealing with great loss of loved ones, homes, and possessions from floods, hurricanes, fires, and volcanoes. The losses are staggering! In these times, it seems that tragedy slips by “our firewall.” This is a mystery, locked in the heart of God. Yet, we must not negate the Word of God because of tragic circumstances. Faith assures us that He will be with us during heartache. Psalm 144:2 still applies. "He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer my shield in whom I take refuge..." He walks with us in all seasons of life and lifts us up to help us travel through what may look like impossible situations. This week, may I ask you to join me in prayer for all those who have been traumatized by great loss. May the God of Israel and our Lord and Savior bless them with peace, guide them with wisdom, assure them of His love, and redeem all that has been lost.