Pursued
November 5, 2004 • By Ed Wrather
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. - Hebrews 11:6-7.
When I was 18 years old, I was out with some friends and made a decision to do something that, I’ve regretted much of my life. The Lord has forgiven me, and I have forgiven myself; but it was still a bad decision, and a bad thing to do. God knew that too, and He tried to stop me.
After leaving my friends, I decided to drive to another town. While traveling on the interstate between the towns there was a heavy rain, and I was at the tail end of a line of cars maybe a mile long going 75 to 80 mph. Halfway to my destination a highway patrol car zoomed past and when he reached the head of the line of speeding cars, he turned on his lights and succeeded in pulling two cars over to the side of the road. This was a determined man, because he must have jumped out of his patrol car with his slicker suit on, and a flashlight. He then began trying to flag all the cars down, so he could give them a ticket too. All of us in the remaining cars, including mine, just moved to the outside lane; and continued on. But God had tried very hard to change my course.
Looking back now, I can see that it was a warning, and an attempt by God to save me from myself. I’m not sure what the change in course would have brought about, but I know it would have been better.
Noah was "divinely warned" and he heeded the warning, resulting in salvation from the flood for himself, and his family. Noah, for decades, was the one God used to try to change the course of mankind. Mankind laughed at Noah, and at his attempt to warn them. If only they had listened, this world might be a much better place. At least it would have been a different place than it is now.
So often, when we are on the wrong course, the wrong path, headed in the wrong direction, God sends warnings into our lives. God is like a highway patrol officer speeding by us, and then trying to flag us down before we destroy ourselves - warning us of the canyon we are speeding toward.
Has it ever happened to you? You knew what you were going to do, or where you were headed, was wrong? Not only that, but God sent warnings into your life, and you refused to listen? Maybe you are in that very situation right now? If you are, I would encourage you to listen, and take the time to consider the consequences. God’s great love is speeding after you, pursuing you, trying to catch you, trying to get your attention. Stop, before it is too late.