"Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang
to life and I died. I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring
life actually brought death." (Rom 7:9-10, NIV2)
Why do we speed? According to Traffic Safety Facts, 2008, those who speed are
involved in 31% of the fatal car accidents. 31%! Those accidents could have been
prevented had we obeyed the traffic laws!
Danger signs are often ignored as well. For example, every year in Niagara
Falls, people are hurled to their death because they didn't take heed of the
danger signs!
These warning signs are intended for our safety, but for many, "that was
intended to bring life actually brought death".
Nearly 10 centuries ago, King Edward of England appointed William the Conqueror,
a French man, as his successor to the British throne. Harold, son of Godwin,
earl of Wessex, had hoped he would be the next king. Still, he went to Normandy
to meet William and swore his oath of fealty to him.
Edward, the King of Great Britain, died on January 6, 1066. Within a few hours,
Harold proclaimed himself King of Great Britain and was crowned accordingly.
Wait a minute! Wasn't the throne promised to William? Didn't Harold swear his
oath of fealty to William? This was purely treachery!
Harold must have come to the conclusion that he had the right to change his
mind!
William knew better than that. On September 26, 1060, he assembled a fleet of
several hundred ships and headed for England.
William forbade anyone from his army to steal. No pillage would be allowed. He
fed his 7000 men at his own expense. A man of honor!
The battle took place near Hastings on October 14. William devised a technique
to attack his enemy, then run away, and then turn against those pursuing them.
There was one time, however, when his army actually was running away from the
enemy. William rushed to meet his men, threw his helmet off and yelled: "Look at
me! I am alive, and I will conquer with the help of God."
By the end of the day, the English troops were surrounded by William's army,
while Harold, the one who broke his word, was hit by an arrow in his eye and
died shortly after that. The real king was placed on the throne on December 25,
1066, in Westminster Abby. The French would be running the country for the next
two centuries!
A promise is a promise, and it is meant to be kept!
Why do we have a different opinion about warning signs and laws? They are here
to keep us safe. Why are we so eager to break them, leading many among us to our
ultimate death?
"Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang
to life and I died. I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring
life actually brought death." (Rom 7:10, NIV2)
Case closed!
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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