06/03/20 IMPRESSIVE SAFETY FEATURES OF LATE-MODEL CARS — Back in the winter we bought a used 2019 Ford Edge. It was raining slightly that day. As we pulled out of the parking lot, I turned on the windshield wipers, thinking they would be on the Intermittent setting. But the first few strokes were obviously on High, before they settled down to a Slow Intermittent pattern. I thought sure they were broken. But Linda checked the owner’s manual—the wipers automatically decide how fast or slow they should go.

At one point on our way home an ear-splitting bell sounded and the bright red “Collision Warning” message appeared on the instrument display. A car was parked on the right side of the road, its rear end jutting out maybe an inch. Over the next few weeks we were introduced to several more SAFETY FEATURES. The key fob replaced the key and the knob replaced the gear shifter, and on and on. The car nearly drove itself; we were hardly necessary. At first they seemed annoying; but, after some reflection, we have learned to appreciate most of them.

Last week we were preparing for a long trip. Suddenly, I thought, our car had developed an annoying, troublesome shudder whenever I turned right or changed lanes. We took it to the dealer. His technician was somewhat sympathetic as he chuckled. He explained that apparently I had unknowingly activated the Lane Keeping System—it sounds an alarms when the driver changes lanes without signaling or drives too close to the right edge. Uh-oh, I was BUSTED!

Isaiah 30:21 (CSB) says “and whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: ‘This is the way. Walk in it’” (see also Deu.5:32; 17:11; 28:14; Jos.1:7; 23:6; 2 Ki.22:2; 2 Ch.34:2; Pro.4:7; Ecc.10:2). A little like our car, but MUCH MORE IMPORTANT—God’s Word also has a bunch of SAFETY FEATURES. If we heed God’s warnings and learn to avoid the situations where the alarms sound, in so many verses, God promises us both QUANTITY and QUALITY of LIFE, BOTH NOW and FOREVER! Praise the Lord!