. . . The hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. Ecclesiastes 9:3b

Hong Kong's Temple Street Night Market is a busy place.

Situated at ground level and surrounded by old apartments, it is usually filled with local residents and tourists checking out the unusual wares and bargains to be had by the discerning shopper.

It is also the place of the most recent acid bombing.

For those of you who don't know -- and I would pray that ignorance would extend to most of you -- an acid bombing takes place when a person or group of people go to the top of one of these apartments and throws full bottles of acid down on the people below.

There have been six such attacks in the last year.

Since no one takes credit for the bombings, the police assume it is not politically motivated. Since no special person is targeted, nobody believes it is an act of family vengeance.

With no suspects, police are concerned about who it is that likes to throw acid on strangers, children, the unprepared, and the unsuspecting. The acid bomber is like the pyromaniac, except his thrill comes from destroying people not buildings.

I know that nowadays it's pretty normal to reject the idea of original sin, and most folks would have us believe humanity is basically good. It's not; we're not. Ecclesiastes is right when it says, "The hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live."

Granted, most of us don't throw acid bombs on the unsuspecting but, all of us, by nature, are sinners -- lost and helpless sinners.

It is into this sick and sinful world that the Lord sent His perfect Son. It was Jesus' job to rescue us from the evil that permeates, to pull us back from the clutches of sin and Satan. It was an obligation Jesus fulfilled flawlessly. Now, because of His selfless sacrifice all who believe on Him are saved and all who trust in Him are forgiven and offered His promise of paradise.

Thank God. In a world of wars and rumors of wars, when acid can rain down unexpectedly from the sky, we need the hope Jesus alone can provide.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, as You look upon this sinful planet, You must grieve. You sent Your Son to save us, but so many prefer to live in sin rather than with the Savior. Use me, I pray, to make a witness to Jesus where I can, to whomever I can, as often as I can. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Job 32-33    Matthew 14:1-21

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