“Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.” (Proverbs 8:33)
In his book “Resolving Everyday Conflict,” Ken Sande tells a very revealing story about a time he watched a visually impaired woman resist the repeated warnings of her loyal and protective guide dog:
“One day during my morning run I noticed a blind woman walking on the other side of the street with her Seeing Eye dog, a beautiful golden retriever. As I was about to pass them, I noticed a car blocking a driveway a few paces ahead of them. At that moment the dog paused and gently pressed his shoulder against the woman’s leg, signaling her to turn aside so they could get around the car.
I’m sure she normally followed his lead, but that day she didn’t seem to trust him. She had probably walked this route many times before and knew this was not the normal place to make a turn. Whatever the cause, she wouldn’t move to the side and instead gave him the signal to move ahead. He again pressed his shoulder against her leg, trying to guide her on a safe path. She angrily ordered him to go forward. When he again declined, her temper flared.
I was about to speak up … when the dog once more put his shoulder gently against her leg. Sure enough, she kicked him …. And then she impulsively stepped forward-and bumped square into a car. Reaching out to feel the shape in front of her, she immediately realized what had happened. Dropping to her knees, she threw her arms around the dog, and spoke sobbing words into his ear.”
How many times have I read or heard the warnings in the Word, only to turn from them when I have an opportunity? Do I believe they were issued by a God who long ago proved He has the power to follow through on His Words about judgment falling on the wayward? I can testify that those corrections from God do come in this life because I have been through them; yet they are given in love from a longing for us to turn to Him.
Scriptural warnings are cautioning us against crashing and burning, against impending disaster. We would do well to commit Proverbs 8:33 to heart!
“Thank You for the warnings You have given us. May Your Spirit so burn within us that we follow without question! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Brunner is the founder and director of Jim Brunner Ministry
