On a sandy beach in Uruguay, giant concrete fingers partially submerged
in sand reach up toward the sky. It is called the Monument to the Drowned.
Locals just call it La Mano, “The Hand.” It was created by
Chilean artist Mario Irarrázabal as a warning to swimmers about the danger of
drowning. “The Hand” has become a tourist attraction, but its real purpose
remains to remind swimmers about the perils of the sea.
The Word of God contains its own kind of warning signs. The book of
Hebrews especially provides cautions about perils to the soul. “Beware,
brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing
from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’
lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:12-13).
The context of the verse is a review of the unbelief and rebellion of
Israel in the wilderness. Though this happened centuries before the book of
Hebrews was written, the spiritual principle applies today. We are to exhort
one another to resist the hardening of our hearts that comes with sin.
Warning signs are given to us for our safety. Praise God that He has
given us protective warnings in His Word because of His great love for us.
God gives us loving warnings in His Word to protect and preserve us. (RBC)
