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)
