Put on Notice.

June 14, 2023

Ran across this photo from New Orleans. There’s nothing special about being in New Orleans, you are just as likely to get a warning like this no matter what city you live in.

If you look closely, you can see a few things.

First, it is a “notice.” Merriam-Webster says a notice is a warning of something.[1] In this case, the notice is warning the property owner that the property is in violation of the city codes. The infractions include “grass and weeds over 18”, “debris, trash, or refuse”, and “noxious plants.”

The notice also warns the property owner that if these violations are not addressed within one week, then the city may take action with no further notice, and maintain the property for up to a year, at the owner’s expense.

Now, if we’re an absentee owner (or an owner who doesn’t address the violations), and we show back up at the property six months later, we might be in for a rude awakening. I’m not sure of the total bill, but six months of mowing, hauling off trash, and eradicating certain weeds could cost a pretty penny. I’m sure we would be upset.

But not nearly as upset as we would be if we didn’t follow God’s “notice” to humble ourselves before Him.

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The Bible tells us in many places to humble ourselves.

• Proverbs 22:4 – Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.
• Matthew 5:3 – “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
• James 4:10 – Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.
• 1 Peter 5:6 – Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.
• Philippians 2:3 – Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.

In addition, we are given notice, or warned, that doing the opposite, or being proud, results in God’s opposition.

“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (James 4:6, NIV)

If God opposes us we have no chance at any of His blessings. We lose the kingdom of heaven and being lifted up by Him. We forfeit riches, honor, and life. (By the way, the riches are not monetary riches, but a spiritual richness).

More than losing all these blessings, we are doomed to eternity without Him because if God opposes us, He will not allow us to live with Him. My prayer for us is that we heed God’s notice, walk humbly in life, and receive God’s blessings.

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[1] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/notice