It was a beautiful, sunny day in July when Chris and Kit set out to do some sightseeing in Wyoming. They were especially interested in seeing the herds of wild buffalo that they had heard about. Since there were no fences in that part of Wyoming, these huge animals roamed over large fields and crossed over the roads.
While driving down a back road, they passed a sign that read,
DANGER!
DO NOT APPROACH WILDLIFE!
That was a serious warning, written for the safety of visitors to the area. Chris and Kit realized later that they should have paid closer attention to the sign’s warning, but they were too busy sightseeing.
Probably many of you pay attention to warning signs and obey them. However, we wonder how many of you pay attention to the warnings that God has placed in His Word, the Bible. God’s warnings are very, very serious, and He hopes you will obey them. He has written, “Flee [run] from the wrath to come” (Matthew 3:77But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (Matthew 3:7)). He also tells us there is a right way to avoid this wrath: “Enter ye in at the [narrow] gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that [leads] to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat” (Matthew 7:1313Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (Matthew 7:13)). Another warning to those hurrying along this broad road is found in Ezekiel 18:2020The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. (Ezekiel 18:20): “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” God isn’t warning people just once. You’ve just now read three warnings, and there are many more. It would be a good idea to pay close attention to His warnings. He loves you and doesn’t want to lose you because you aren’t taking the warnings seriously.
Chris and Kit drove on down the road until they came upon a herd of the wild buffalo. They were eating grass growing on the edge of the road and were so close that Chris and Kit would have been able to almost touch the huge beasts. Driving a little farther, they came upon a large group of tourists who had gotten out of their cars near a historic homestead. It would make a beautiful picture with the majestic Teton Mountains in the background against the blue sky and the green grass with a large herd of wild buffalo grazing. Since many other tourists were out of their cars taking pictures, our two friends decided to take a few more themselves.
After they had taken some pictures, they spotted a baby buffalo grazing with its mother. Without remembering the warning sign they had read, they decided to step a little closer for a better picture. Suddenly they heard a terrifying noise off to one side! A quick look showed a 2,000-pound buffalo thundering right for them! Its head was down, with deadly horns ready to throw or gore the closest people, and it sounded like it was snorting fire!
How scary! Do you suppose everyone just stood there and continued taking pictures? NO! They ran for their lives, even leaving behind shoes, as they ran as fast as they could to the shelter of their cars! Some even left their bicycles behind in their hurry to get away.
The sign had warned them, but they had not paid attention to the warning.
The Bible has warned you, but have you paid attention to the warning?
We hope that all the men, women, boys and girls still on the road that leads to punishment for their sins will turn around and run fast. There is a place of safety to be found and a Man who can shelter us. That Man is God’s own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Even though every one of us has sinned, there is a way of escape—a way to get off the wide road that leads to destruction and wrath. We need to turn from our sins to Jesus who says, “Come unto Me ... and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)). God has provided that way of escape for us.
Thankfully, Chris and Kit and the other people made it to safety, partly because the huge, charging buffalo, at the last minute, made a U-turn back to the herd. For those still in their sins, God does not want you to die facing punishment for all eternity. Please remember, He is a God of love and mercy, and He has made a way of escape for you. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:1313He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)).
ML-07/13/2014