Daily PresenceSample

I’ve always got a kick out of warning labels. Take this warning from the back of my Crest toothpaste for instance: “WARNING keep out of reach of children under 6 yrs. of age. If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a poison control center right away.” Since when has anyone used more than the amount for brushing? What else is toothpaste put into one’s mouth for other than brushing your teeth? Are we trying to ice donuts with this stuff? I’m sure it’s been done before but I just find many of these warnings quite humorous and even a little on the ridiculous side.

In the same way, I wonder how many of us have received warnings from God and thought them humorous or even a bit ridiculous? From relationships that dishonor God to telling a little white lie, we’ve all been there and we’ve all gone on to ignore the warning label. The warning labels inside our soul (Holy Spirit) telling us this isn’t right-turn back now, yet how many of us have consumed the proverbial toothpaste like icing on a donut.

In 2 Chronicles Ch. 36 sees the entire people of Israel ignore warning sign after warning sign. From the top down, King to followers they all ignored the advice of the prophets (sent by God) to warn them of the consequences. All became more and more unfaithful to the Lord their God and because they were unwilling to humble themselves and repent they ended up seeing their destruction. Ch. 36 verse 15 says, “The Lord, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people and his Temple.” God has this same compassion with us and offers us many chances to turn from our wicked ways. Let us see what warning signs may be present in our own lives, humble ourselves, and repent. Thank God for his unending pursuit of us!