Warning systems have been set up to warn people of just about everything. In the Midwest it isn’t uncommon to hear the fire alarms sounding to warn about an approaching tornado or severe thunderstorm. Along the coastlines, there are warning systems to warn of hurricanes and tsunami. All of us have heard the tests of the emergency broadcast systems on T.V. or radio. We have road signs to warn for sharp turns, slippery roads, and falling rock.
It seems people understand the need for warnings. In fact, the bible contains a large portion of warnings. God specifically designated certain people to be prophets. Their job was to warn people of judgment resulting from sinful behavior. Interestingly, all of these warnings at times have gone unheeded. I was amazed to hear that people off the coast of San Francisco stayed put instead of heading for the hills when the recent tsunami warning sounded, especially in light of the 2004 tsunami that hit Asia resulting in 160,000 plus deaths. True the tsunami didn’t materialize in California but was it worth the risk?
Ignoring real danger has always been a trait of mankind; many times the consequences have been tragic. These thoughts lead me to write the following prose.
Rain
Noah walked into the misty night. The droplets rising up from the ground gave the trees a glimmer under the starlit sky. The scene, particularly the mist, comforted him. It had been a long day giving rise to more questions than answers. The people had come, watched and laughed. They were an evil lot. The jokes didn’t bother him. He was used to them. He had always been a recipient of their laughter. The only way of escape was to join their debauchery. He would never do that.
Tonight, he carried the weight of their souls. Why won’t they listen? How do I make them understand? From the depth, tears crashed through his eye gates. He could not hold them any longer. He poured the certainty of their fate onto the ground in crashing tears of futility and heartache. At last, he understood rain. Oh, the rain! The rain would surely come! It would burst from God’s own heart.
Psalm 19: 9-11 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them is great reward.
NIV
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