Monument to the Drowned

Dennis Fisher reports: 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, for example, 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" (Hebrews 3:12-13).

The Word of God warns: sin is deceitful - and deadly!  It promises freedom but delivers bondage (John 8:34).  It promises thrilling life but delivers chilling death (Hebrews 11:25; Romans 6:23).  It promises "no restraints!" but in the end, it brings about the judgment of God (Romans 1:18).  In our sin, "it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 10:31).

Fisher reminds us that "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."

The Word of God also reveals: "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear" (Isaiah 59:1-2).

Yet because of His great love for us, God has "reached out to us with His hand" in the person of His Jesus with His offer of forgiveness and eternal life.  Although our sins separated us from Him, God "bridged the gap" by allowing Jesus to die on the cross for our sins (Ephesians 1:7).  Through Jesus we can be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:18-21).

God will save those who accept His offer of salvation and life by placing their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turning from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7).

For the penitent sinner who places his faith and trust in Christ, God's hand - la mano de Dios - is not a dreadful place but rather a place of forgiveness, peace, and eternal life.

Won't YOU trust and obey Christ today?

David Sargent