Lights flashing. Sirens wailing. No one responding. Everything inside of me told me to get out of there. But the person at the airline counter where I was waiting to board a flight nonchalantly indicated that she did not know what was happening. The security guards were unmoved and passengers sat apathetically in the waiting area. I wondered how everyone could be ignoring the call to action. I was taught that warning signs are not meant to be ignored.

Warning signs occur in many areas of life. I am reminded of patients who simply ignored the obvious signs of health problems often to great detriment. I have found the same to be true in my relationship with God. Some of His promises come in the form of warnings. I love to trust the promises of God that tell me of the good things God will do for me but I rarely consider God’s warnings as promises. The world is in the mess it is because Adam and Eve ignored God’s warning.

But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die. (Genesis 2:17 NIV )

King David knew the value of warnings from God, even though he did not heed them all himself. David ends a hymn of praise by speaking of the precepts and commandments of God. He says,

By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. (Psalm 19:11 NIV)

Just as my parents warned me to be careful as I crossed the street because they loved me, some of God’s loving promises are expressed in His cautions and warnings. Join me this week in rejoicing in the promises of God’s warnings.
 

 

Sharing the journey with you,

Bob Snyder