A Sober Warning

Since you rejected me [wisdom] when I calledand no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand,since you ignored all my adviceand would not accept my rebuke,I in turn will laugh at your disaster;I will mock when calamity overtakes you—when calamity overtakes you like a storm,when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,when distress and trouble overwhelm you.Then they will call to me but I will not answer;they will look for me but will not find me.

Proverbs 1:24-28 (NIV)

Today’s proverb is very serious and, I hope, a sobering warning.

God’s mercy, his love, his kindness to call us out of darkness is amazing. He will send conviction to our souls over and over with great compassion and patience, but if we repeatedly disobey, if we harden our hearts, he will refuse his grace. There will come a time when it is too late.

A few years ago I needed to catch a plane, but I was careless. I got a late start to the airport and hit traffic. It was my own fault. When I got to the gate, the door had closed. Too late. The plane took off without me. But I guarantee you the next time I was to fly, I got up early, and the plane arrived late. So if you are listening, if you have turned your back on wisdom in the past, it’s time to learn from your mistakes. Don’t repeat them. Don’t be careless with your life and don’t be careless with your soul.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Some people don’t like to hear or heed warnings. The captain of the Titanic was one of them. The morning before the disaster, the sky was blue and the sea calm. So he canceled the scheduled lifeboat drill. No need; the Titanic was unsinkable. He received—and ignored—seven iceberg warnings, until it was too late.

If God has sent a flashing light of warning or conviction in your heart, listen. Life has icebergs ahead. Slow down, change course, and allow him to navigate you back to safety.

One Year Bible Reading

Genesis 11:1–13:4; Matthew 5:1-26; Psalm 5:1-12; Proverbs 1:24-28