The new year did not bring us the relief from this awful pandemic that we hoped for – it has rather got worse. These new and more threatening strains of Coronavirus mean that uncertainty and risk are still with us. More lockdown is disappointing but necessary, and yet the rollout of vaccines is encouraging.
Governments continue to struggle with the decisions they have to make, and they need our prayers. People are struggling in many different ways, and they too need our prayers and what support we can offer. Our hearts go out to the many who are disadvantaged, lonely, and more depressed after all these months.
I think we are also alarmed at those who ignore the many clear warnings given about the risks posed by this virus. At least some of the present high numbers of infections and consequent deaths are due to carelessness, selfishness and neglect of the sound advice given regularly.
It is a strange fact of life that warnings are often neglected. Take, for example, warnings and advice about diet and lifestyle and alcohol and smoking, all of which lead to long term health problems. Then there’s speeding on our roads which is still the main cause of traffic accidents. A major part of our Health and Safety Legislation focuses on risk assessments and warning notices, yet accidents happen through neglect or ignorance.
Weather warnings are of particular interest just now – so that we can be prepared and take appropriate precautions if we have to venture out. For those working at sea, gale warnings are of vital importance.
Around 50 years ago, my father wrote several Gospel tracts based on his experiences as a fisherman. One of them carried the title, GALE WARNING! He wrote, “To ignore such warnings could lead to great peril, and not a few cases of loss at sea could have been avoided had they been treated with respect.”
He then went on to say, “to the mariner on the ‘Sea of Life’ there are warnings of coming storms, more severe than any, yet these warnings are treated so lightly, even ignored”. For example, the Bible says: It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement (Hebrews 9.27). Jesus said, If you die in your sin, where I am you cannot come (John 8.21). Also, from Romans 14.12: Each one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Along with the warnings are instructions about finding the safety and security that we need, and which so many of us have found and enjoy. It is found in the Lord Jesus Christ because He took God’s judgement for our sins on the cross and He still says, “Come to Me, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11.28).
He says, “Believe in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions ... I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14.1-3).
And you know John 3.16: “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
The present and eternal safety of each one of us centres upon our trust in Jesus Christ. He died to take away our sins, and in His resurrection defeated death to become the Saviour we need. It is sad that so many people ignore all the warnings and refuse these great offers of safety and blessing.
Do you remember the hymn which begins – Life at best is very brief ...?
The last verse says -
Sinner, heed the warning voice,
Make the Lord your final choice,
Then all heaven will rejoice:
Be in time!
Come from darkness into light;
Come, let Jesus make you right;
Come and start for heaven tonight:
Be in time!
May God bless you and keep you all safe at this time.
Written by Bert Cargill and used with permission
No comments
Post a Comment