The storm had been raging for two days and already close to twenty-four inches of rain had flooded the Caribbean island. Roads were blocked, streets flooded, houses tilted on their foundations and ruin was everywhere.
As the car crept slowly along through the downpour, Mr. Gonzalez peered anxiously at the road ahead. He was following the taillights of the car in front, and he assumed that as long as that car got through, he could too. Suddenly, as the car in front started across a bridge, the taillights disappeared. Mr. Gonzalez braked quickly and got out to investigate. To his horror, he found that the middle span of the bridge had washed away and that the car ahead of him had plunged into thirty feet of muddy water.
Quickly turning his car sideways to block the road, he got out and stood by the car waving his arms and shouting as he saw another car approaching. To his dismay, the oncoming car refused to stop. Apparently fearing an ambush, the driver gunned his motor, swerved around the barricade and plunged into the river.
Mr. Gonzalez could hardly believe his eyes, but more headlights were approaching through the downpour. Once more he tried to avert disaster. Flailing his arms wildly and yelling, "Stop!" at the top of his voice, he had to watch in agony as, once more, the oncoming vehicle swerved around the barricade and catapulted into the river.
Time after time it happened. The warning was given and the warning was ignored. Before the authorities could erect a suitable barricade and totally block the bridge, twenty-nine people had swerved around the blockade and plunged to their deaths.
What a disaster! Why wouldn't they stop? Perhaps they were in a hurry. Perhaps they were afraid. Whatever the reason, they ignored the warning and died as a result.
Are you doing the same thing? God has been speaking to you and warning you of judgment to come. He tells you that, "The wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)), and that, "All have sinned." Rom. 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23). Have you stopped and recognized that warning and acknowledged the danger you are in? Or are you swerving around the barricade and heading toward certain judgment?
Again God warns you: "Because there is wrath, beware lest He take thee away with His stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee." Job 36:1818Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee. (Job 36:18). Have you stopped at that barricade?
The consequences of ignoring God's warnings are tremendous. If you refuse to pay attention to His warnings, your destiny will be far worse than death by drowning in a flood-swollen river. Your soul will end up for eternity enduring the wrath of God in the lake of fire.
Don't refuse to listen to God's warnings. He loves you so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for you. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).
Won't you pay attention to the warnings and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior now?