Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. . . . Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine. Proverbs 20:1; 23:29,30, NKJV.
Heavenly Father, please speak to our hearts and make us wise. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Today we are taking a look at the consumption of alcohol. There are many individuals who refer to themselves as “social drinkers.” According to them, they can “handle it” (referring to alcohol). But many animal trainers and tamers have been injured and even killed by animals who they were sure they could handle. The ability to handle a situation or something is relative. Does handling mean you have complete control over? If it does not, then the situation or thing could end up handling you. How sad it was for me to read about Dawn Brancheau, at SeaWorld Park in Orlando and Alexis Martinez at Canary island in Spain. Both were killed by two killer whales while feeding and training them, respectively. How unfortunate to learn of Massarti, a lion tamer at Manders Menagerie in Bolton, England who was torn apart by four lions. The minute they lost control of the situation they lost their lives! How tragic!
Not less tragic is the situation of thousands of youth and others who are learning by example to become social drinkers in what is deemed a “safe environment” (the home)! The home is not safe if the habit is harmful!
A comment by the SeaWorld Park corporate curator Chuck Tompkins was very revealing: “The potential of danger is always there. You still have the variable of the animal, no matter how safe you try to make an environment” (Donna Leinwand, USA TODAY. Emphasis provided.). When I read that statement I compared it to these words of warning by Solomon: “Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly; At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper” (31, 32). That is the nature of alcohol – to deceive you with false promises of “feeling better.” Only for you to wake up the following day and find that you have greater problems.
Perhaps you have heard the story of the scorpion and the turtle (I am not sure if the other animal was a turtle). Both were standing on the river bank getting ready to cross over. Just as the turtle was about to enter the water the scorpion asked if it could go across on the turtle’s back. The turtle refused, for fear of being stung by the scorpion. But after much pleading, and many promises not to sting the turtle; the turtle finally consented. When they were halfway across the river, the turtle felt a sting on the back of its neck. Recognizing the sting of death, he asked the scorpion, “Why did you do it? Now we will both drown.” The scorpion’s reply was: “I’m sorry, it is just my nature.”
The nature of alcohol is to mock. And it will mock those who are deceived by it. And many are being deceived.
Let me bring our devotional for today to an end with these words of warning inspired by “God, our Savior, who alone is wise”: “Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: ‘“They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink”‘ (33-35)?
Do not be mocked. Be wise!