Police protection ⎯ Today is officially the first day of spring, and a national holiday here in Japan. People will be taking advantage of the three-day weekend to go and view the cherry blossoms. They will travel to near and faraway places with their families, picnic baskets, cameras and probably even pets to sit beneath the awesome, flowering trees that are a traditional Japanese event.
The policeman, semi-hidden in the bamboo brush to the left, will be out this weekend watching traffic on this road. The mirrors just to the right of the policeman on the yellow pole are placed in such a way that oncoming traffic from both directions can see any oncoming vehicles around this blind corner. This old policeman has been standing here for years, probably more years than one could imagine. He is plastic! That’s right, a full-sized and full-color plastic policeman, at whose sight traffic automatically slows down when entering this curve in the road.
There is a problem with this kind of “plastic” police protection: once a person drives through the dangerous curve, he speeds up again with blatant disregard for posted speed limits, to hurry up and get someplace on time. We have a saying here in Japan when one is caught speeding: “In this tiny, little, narrow country (of Japan) where are you going at such a high speed?” Another problem is that the policeman remains at his post, with no concern for the safety of the driver or passengers in the car that sped by him seconds ago. This plastic policeman does not (cannot) speak up to warn anybody who flies by him, he cannot warn him of any dangerous curves in the road beyond his station, but . . . did you know our God is NOT plastic?
That’s right, He is NOT plastic! He is alive! He watches out, cares for and warns you in person when you get out of line. His eyes see your heart, your hurts, your concerns! He follows you wherever you go: “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” A-men! Look at more proof that God is alert to your situations:
Hanani the prophet said, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and from throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9
Job said to his accusers, “Doth not he (God) see my ways, and count all my steps?” Job 31:4
Job said again, “For his (God’s) eyes are upon the ways of man, and he sees all his goings.” Job 34:21
Soloman said, “For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his goings.” Proverbs 5:21
The Psalmist said, “Behold, he that keeps Israel (that is ME) shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD shall preserve thy (my) going out and thy (my) coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.” Psalm 121:4, 8
Why not this weekend head for church to thank the LORD for His 24-7 protection? You might want to leave a bit earlier that you normally would, so you won’t get caught speeding to church!