How good are we at paying attention to warnings? Do we ignore them or do we know that they are there for our good and we need to take heed?
 
Not far from us we have a section blocked off where roadwork is being done and no matter how we feel about it, we have to take the detour. We can’t get through! We are warned ahead of time and can take the alternate way. Last night we also had warnings of storms coming and one friend who was at their camper had bags packed in case they had to go to a shelter quickly. We also heard a siren go off in the night and hoped we didn’t have to go downstairs to the underground garage…especially since my hair was in rollers!!
 
But more important are the warnings we are given in scripture of coming times to be alert and pay attention. When Jesus was with his disciples, he gave them warnings about what would happen after He left this world; in Matt. 24 He says that they will hear of wars and rumors of wars. Nation will fight against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes and Christians will be hated for being committed to Him. False prophets would arise and people would be deceived. Other places in scripture we are warned that men will be lovers of self, scoffers, arrogant, abusive, slanderous, profane and show no respect for what is holy and on and on. Doesn’t it sound like our world today?
 
But what are we to do as we see these things take place?  We are told to stay alert, watch, and be awake spiritually and be in prayer.  More than ever before we need to pray for our nation and as God told Solomon in II Chron. 7:15 (ESV), “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I  will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and  heal their land.” Now is the time to seek the Lord! Let us not dismiss the warnings but humbly pray!
 
Challenge for today: Pray to be awake spiritually and pray for repentance and healing of our land.