But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is his unfailing love,
to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine. Psalm 33:16-19 (NIV)

To a degree, I admire the people who presently store food and water. At least, they are doing something in preparation for a day of disaster. But for some, “survival-ism” has become a religion–a religion without true salvation.

Large arsenals and the growing business of survival-ism are signs of the times. Dried foods, water purification tablets and stockpiles of heirloom seeds show foresight, but offer false hopes. Famine is but one of the horsemen of the apocalypse. Without God’s help, how does anyone escape a plague or war?

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. (Psalm 127:1 NIV)

Pity those who deny the obvious. Despite the culture’s war against God and nation’s steady decline in morality, they trust in their wealth. They may fear a host of supposed threats to the environment, yet show no concern for God’s wrath. They live as though their plans were absolutes. How foolish to ignore the Bible’s promise of Christ’s soon return!

The survivalist mentality is the opposite pole of ignoring the signs. The danger of survival-ism is in the mirage of self-reliance it presents. Survival-ism can be as damning as the selfish rich man who refused to comfort the beggar Lazarus.

Saints will not just survive, they’ll thrive. They will follow Peter’s counsel in his letters to the persecuted believers in Rome. They will live godly lives as they love one another deeply. Anticipating a time of great distress should motivate us to do more than create stores of goods. We ought to pursue great acts of love and kindness while we separate ourselves from evil.

Survivalists beware. Only “thrivers” will survive. “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him. I will protect him because he acknowledges my name.” (Psalm 91:14 NIV)