Oh,
that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes! Psalm 119:5
A driver who ignores traffic signals is "an accident looking for a place to
happen." Anyone cheating on red or stopping absentmindedly on green is a danger to
himself and to others. Although a series of red lights can be a pain when you're eager to
get to your destination, an accident can bring even greater pain.
Several years ago I was happily surprised when a traffic signal was finally installed on a
corner that had been especially frustrating to me. It turned a daily ordeal into an
orderly and predictable way of getting onto a busy street. Waiting occasionally at a red
light is now a pleasureat least at that intersection of bad memories.
The Scriptures too have some "red lights" that should control our lives as
Christians. They are the prohibitions against envy, pride, hatred, irreverence, lust, and
selfishness. When the Holy Spirit alerts us to their presence, we should immediately hit
the brakes. Likewise, as we move into the heavy traffic of daily living, we must quickly
respond by obeying the "green" signals of kindness, humility, love, worship, and
purity.
God's stops and starts are designed to help us. We should be as fearful of ignoring a
command of Scripture as we are of running a red light.
-MRD
II
We take delight to read God's Word;
We say, "Ah, yes, it's true!"
But it's of little use to us
Unless His will we do.
-DJD
The signals of Scripture are meant for our protection, correction, and direction.