London’s intent seems obvious to me– when you ignore wise counsel and warnings you suffer severe consequences. I saw in this story a commentary on human nature. The natural man is not only sinful, he is a stupid and stubborn creature. Rather than heed wise counsel, that would keep him safe, he goes “astray” by turning “to his own way“( Isa. 53:6). He is unaware of what Jeremiah said in Jer. 10:23 “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” That’s a nice way of saying we don’t have enough sense to know how to live. But however you say it, that’s the truth. We are safe only as we walk in the ways of the Lord.

This is the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, when more died that on 9/11. This led to Americas involvement in WW II that was started when Hitler invaded Poland two years earlier. While this attack came as a shock to many it was no surprise to others who had warned that it would happen. U. S. officials however thought that the Philippines would be attacked first. The debates about this continue to this day, but there can be no doubt about the fact that we were unprepared and paid dearly for it.

There is a lesson in this for all of us—don’t ignore warnings! Those who do either have no confidence in the source, or that they will be the exception to the rule, or that the pleasure is worth the risk. Admittedly in some case the consequences might not be a big deal, but sometimes it is a matter of life and death, heaven or hell. And when the source of the warning is God you better listen. He doesn’t make idle threats, lie, or miscalculate. He speaks the truth. When He says you will reap what you sow it is true. When He says “You must be born again” it is a fact. The outcome isn’t debatable.

Never doubt what God says. He never lies or errors, and He has your best interest at heart. It is best for you that you believe Him and do as He says. Having done so you can breathe a sigh of relief and be at peace knowing you are safest in His will. When you shun God’s counsel and ignore His warnings you aren’t running a risk you are running head long into trouble– it’s insane. There can be but one outcome–as God said.

No one knows how you feel/hurt better than God. He knows you are confused. He hears your questions. Yet He doesn’t cave in to your appeals for change. He doesn’t alter His plan because we don’t approve. What He does do is promise grace to sustain us and to use it for His glory and some good. So, since He doesn’t change, your only hope for peace in your storm is to accept what He allows. You don’t have to of course. You can fuss and fight and make yourself more miserable. But when we trust God’s promises and surrender to His will we are given a peace that passeth all understanding.

I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin– Psalm 32:5

Two things we are clearly meant to take away from this account: sin must be confessed and, when it is, sin will be forgiven.

The psalmist reports that he was brought to the place of acknowledging his sin. He was not trying to hide it, or justify it, or excuse it. He held nothing back during his confession; he admitted to God his every fault and failing.

As he freely admits his sin to the Lord, we should notice, the psalmist also freely acknowledges it as sin (not just a mistake or personality flaw). He confesses his transgressions to the Lord. They are his (no one else is to blame) and they are transgressions (willful offenses against the law of God).

Have you gone to the Lord in confession and owned up to your own willful disobedience and pride? Have you utterly opened your heart to Him, acknowledging the wrongs you have done against his good and just law?

Then—but only then—will we have the same assurance in which the psalmist rejoices, that our sin is forgiven and every transgression pardoned. What a sweet, powerful thing is a clean conscience before our holy God!

Do not delay the repentance that God deserves or the forgiveness that you need.– Baptist Bible Hour

“Fear not: for I am with thee…” Isaiah 43:5

The presence of a friend in trouble is cheering and consoling. But it is too often the case, that our friends, like the friends of Job, prove to be miserable comforters. They either do not enter into our troubles — or they cannot help us. The advice they give at times, only aggravates our woe, and adds to our distress.

But, believer, your God says, “I am with you!” What a thought is this! God, the great, the glorious, the omnipotent Jehovah — is with me! He is . . .
with me to help me,
with me to comfort me,
with me to sanctify me,
with me to save me,
with me as a kind benignant Father,
with me in every place, in every trouble, in every conflict,
with me through all my journey and forevermore,
with me on the bed of sickness,
with me  to hold communion with me,
with me to listen to my sighs,
with me to number my tears, and
with me to secure me from all injury!

Appearances may be very dark; the night may seem very long; and your pains, weakness, and fears may be many and great. Still, if the Lord is with you, you may sing, “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:17-18 —James Smith, 1842