God's Warning Signs

Warning Signs in Decision-Making and Discernment

Tapachula is the southernmost town in Mexico, serving as an entry point for thousands of immigrants from Central America and other regions. From there, they walk 250 kilometers (155 miles) north to a place called Arriaga to catch a freight train known as "The death train" to travel to Mexico City. From there, they continue their journey to reach the USA border by various means. Every year, around 500,000 immigrants risk their lives using this freight train.

The situation in Tapachula is dire; immigrants can be seen sleeping on the streets, begging for food, and seeking clothing everywhere.

During my vacation in December 2023, on a Sunday morning, I found myself in Tapachula. I went to the ATM room, which had two ATMs, and discovered that one of them did not have cash. I used the second one, and as I exited, an American man entered. I informed him that the second ATM was out of cash and suggested he use the first one. He asked me, 'How do you know?' and gave me a questioning look. I recognized that type of look and simply went outside to wait for the Combie (a passenger van). After a few minutes, he ran to me and lamented that his ATM card had become stuck in the cashless ATM.

For a moment, I thought that perhaps God had warned him through me, but he ignored it. Many times in my life, I've ignored such warnings from people who may have been guided by God, only to later experience suffering, sometimes lasting for years.

Sometimes, bad experiences happen in life. During those times, it's essential to maintain a low profile for a few days. I know people who have been in accidents and escaped without injury, only to find themselves in another major accident with injuries within a few days. It's like being under a dark cloud.

In the Bible, there are many instances where people ignored warnings from God and acted disobediently, facing significant consequences as a result. In modern times, while God may not always speak to us directly — although sometimes He does — He often conveys His messages through other people. It's crucial for us to enhance our active listening abilities to recognize and heed these warnings.

Let's examine a few examples from the Bible to illustrate this point:

Kicked out of the Garden and put humankind in sin

Adam and Eve: In the Book of Genesis, Adam and Eve ignored God's warning not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Despite God's clear instruction, they succumbed to the temptation presented by the serpent and ate the forbidden fruit, leading to their expulsion from the Garden of Eden and the introduction of sin into the world.

Disobedience and 40 years of wandering

The Israelites in the Wilderness: After being miraculously delivered from slavery in Egypt, the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness toward the Promised Land. However, they repeatedly ignored God's warnings and commands, grumbling, rebelling, and turning to idolatry. Their disobedience resulted in consequences such as wandering in the wilderness for forty years before entering the Promised Land.

Ignored God's warning, lost the kingdom, and committed suicide

King Saul: King Saul ignored God's warnings on several occasions. In 1 Samuel 15, Saul was instructed by God to completely destroy the Amalekites and their possessions. However, Saul spared King Agag and some of the best livestock, disobeying God's command. As a result, God rejected Saul as king and chose David to succeed him. Finally,  Saul took his own sword, fell on it and killed himself.

Ignored God's warning, lost the kingdom, and killed

King Belshazzar: In the book of Daniel, King Belshazzar of Babylon held a great feast where he used the sacred vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem. In the midst of the feast, a hand appeared and wrote a message on the wall, warning of impending judgment. Despite the warning, Belshazzar did not repent, and that very night, his kingdom was conquered by the Medes and Persians. That very night, Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was killed.

In each of these instances, individuals and rulers ignored God's warnings, leading to dire consequences. These narratives serve as reminders of the importance of obedience and reverence toward God's commands.

The Bible commands, "Obey the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him" (Deuteronomy 11:27, NIV).

The majority of Mexico operates on a cash economy. Many foreigners think that they can swipe their plastic cards wherever they go, but the reality is different. Most restaurants (Cenaduria) are run by families, and they cannot afford a payment machine.

I knew that the American man could not get his ATM card until the next morning. I asked him if he had cash to buy food. He was reluctant, put his head down, and struggled to answer. I understood and gave him 100 Mexican pesos (USD 6), which should be sufficient for his lunch and dinner. He thanked me and I got a new friend.

Even though we ignore God's warnings, He continues to help us because His grace is way bigger than our human thoughts. Though I ignored His warnings several times in my life, He never let me down. However, as a human, I still feel those pains and consequences. I don't want them to happen to you.

Conclusion

I know you can relate to this article because you ignored His warnings in your life, just like I did. It is time to ask Him to give us the spiritual gift of discernment and continue obeying Him. It does not matter what life puts us through; we must obey Him. Improve your active listening skills, feel those warnings, and keep a low profile during bad times. He will protect and bless you.