Sound The Alarm

Sound the Alarm

On the first day of the appointed month in early autumn, you are to observe a day of complete rest. It will be an official day for holy assembly, a day commemorated with loud blasts of a trumpet.

Leviticus 23:24

When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the LORD your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today.

Deuteronomy 8:10-11

The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God.

1 Thessalonians 4:16

When a tornado siren goes off, it warns us to take cover. When a smoke detector goes off, it alerts us there might be a fire. When a trumpet was blasted in Old Testament times, it was sounding an alarm, giving a warning to the people of Israel. Why did Israel need to be alarmed?

The people in ancient Israel needed to be periodically awakened from their apathy and careless attitudes toward God. God knew that as his people experienced his goodness, they would have the tendency to drift away and think that their comfortable lives were the result of their own efforts rather than God’s blessing. He also knew that when things were going fine in their lives, they would become less sensitive to sin. So God set up a yearly holiday called the Festival of Trumpets to blast the people out of their spiritual laziness. The sound of the trumpet served as a reminder for the people to examine themselves and recognize God’s provision in their lives as well as their need for God’s grace.

Sometimes we, too, need to be alarmed by our shallow spiritual conditions. We need to wake up from our spiritual sleep and get rid of the sin that is threatening to take over our hearts and lives.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

What are the consequences of ignoring warning sirens or alarms?

What kinds of things does God use to “sound the alarm” about sin in our lives?

What are some ways you can make sure you don’t forget God in the midst of your blessings?