Recently, three young tourists when visiting Yosemite National Park in California were swept over the Vernal Falls. One of the tourists, a young woman, was no doubt drawn by the alluring beauty of the raging waterfall and the fast moving River below. Tragically she slipped on a rock above the falls. Two friends reached out to rescue her and they too slipped, and all three of them were swept over the edge.
At the bottom of the trail leading up to the Vernal Falls there is a sign warning about the fast moving water. Also, when entering the Yosemite Park, visitors are given a paper warning about water hazards and to stay away from fast moving water.
Furthermore, at the top of the Vernal Falls there is a guard railing and a metal safety barricade marked with a warning. Tragically the victims of this incident ignored all the warning signs, climbed over the barricade, and fell to a horrific death.
I’m sure many people had crossed the barricade before, just to get closer to the exciting water falls, and while these three aren’t the only ones to have lost their lives by ignoring the warnings, they probably thought, “No problem, I can take care of myself.”
God gives us many warnings in His Word about living the Christian life. He warns us not to let our flesh control us, He warns us to follow Him closely, and not give in to temptations, He warns us that one day we will die and stand before Him to give an account of our lives, and He warns us that everyone who dies without Jesus Christ will spend eternity in Hell.
We live in a world that is filled with selfish ambitions, selfish desires, selfish actions, and places a LOT of importance on what WE want NOW! The Bible warns us, “… be sure your sin will find you out.”
While these three young people thought they could ignore the warnings at Yosemite, it cost them their lives. And the same goes for us…if we think we can ignore God and His warnings, it will cost us dearly. The world, and it’s temptations may have an “alluring appeal” to them, but don’t let that appeal destroy or ruin your life – don’t give in to it. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
God’s Word isn’t just written to us for us to have something to read. No, God knows exactly what is best for us. Follow Him VERY CLOSELY, and OBEY His Warnings. You’ll never be sorry for doing so.