After slipping into the driver’s seat, inserting the key into the ignition, I put the car in reverse to back out of a hospital parking space. Almost instantly I heard a steady beeping from the car’s rear radar telling me something was very close. I looked in the mirror and didn’t see anything. I turned around in the seat and still did not see anything. I inched the car back and the beeps came closer together telling me something was there. The temptation was to think it was malfunctioning and just go for it. But my better judgment kicked in and I put the car in park and got out. Phew! There standing not tall enough for me to see over the lid of the trunk was a little girl. Her mom was busy in another row of cars getting a baby out of its car seat.
Sometimes I think I am smart enough to ignore one of God’s commands. I can’t figure out the danger so I just go for it. Now that is hubris and just plain stupid. He knows. If it wasn’t going to hurt me He wouldn’t have mentioned it. But He did mention certain things and it pays not to ignore Him. Sometimes I see life falling apart for people, smart people. Could it be they are ignoring the warnings?
There are some wonderful verses in Psalm 119 extolling the value of paying attention to God. “The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver.” Verse 71 “Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies;. . .” Verse 98 “Through Your precepts I get understanding; . . .” Verse 104.
Written by Roger Bothwell on January 22, 2010
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org