Warnings Direct

Colossians 1:28 – Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. (NKJV)

We get the weather report sent to us every morning on our computer, and when there is bad weather ahead, we receive "Warnings Direct" for our area. We often receive repeated warnings of impending bad weather conditions. This morning's warning says, "Severe thunderstorms possible this morning. This is an alert to the potential development of severe thunderstorms with large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall … Monitor weather conditions and watch for updated bulletins." Wow, thanks for the warning!

There are warnings in the Bible, too.

• By faith, Noah, who was warned by God about things to come, built an ark to save his family from the flood that destroyed the earth. (Hebrews 11:7)


• Jeremiah warned the people of Judah of God's approaching judgement, but they weren't interested in his urgent warnings. (Jeremiah 6:10)


• Ezekiel was God's watchman, sent to warn the people of Judah to turn away from their sins and repent, but the people refused to stop sinning. (Ezekiel 33:7)


• The wise men, after they had presented their gifts to the Christ Child, were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, who wanted to kill the Child, and they returned home another way. (Matthew 2:12)


• Joseph was also warned about Herod, and so he fled to Egypt with Mary and the Child, and they stayed there until the death of Herod. (Matthew 2:13-15)

So there are warnings. Sometimes people listen; sometimes they don't.

What about us? How do we respond to God's warnings in the Bible? Are we paying attention to them, or are we ignoring them? Are we like the people of Judah — or are we like Noah, the wise men, and Joseph? God will guide us, too, if we are ready to respond as they did. God is always with us. He has given us His Word to teach us how to live and to help us make the right choices. He is also faithful to forgive us when we fall short and come to Him with repentant hearts.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word that warns us of impending danger, as well as the dangers and consequences of sin in our lives. Continue to speak to us, and give us ears to hear and a deep desire to turn from our sinful ways and to give ourselves wholeheartedly to the lives You have called us to live. Help us to trust You as Your plan unfolds in each of our lives. We pray these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

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