... be sure your sin will find you out. Numbers 32: 23b
When the Lord inspired the writing of this Daily Devotion's text, He wasn't exactly referring to shoplifting.
Even so, it's hard not to use that text when it comes to the case of 20-year-old Dustin Matthew Marshall.
His sins have found him out.
Let me explain: A few weeks back Marshall was shopping around for a new pair of jeans. Of course, Marshall, just like the rest of us, knows the high prices that denim brings these days.
Cost, and not oversight, is probably what caused Marshall to take a pair of jeans, try them on, leave them on, and leave the Gallatin, Tennessee Wal-Mart store without paying for them.
His was hardly a perfect crime. You see, Marshall left his old pair of jeans at the Wal-Mart. And did I mention he also left his wallet in that old pair of jeans?
Police caught up with Marshall and his girlfriend after they had slipped out of a Longhorn Steakhouse without paying for that bill.
The jeans can be returned; the dinner is another matter.
Now, I have to admit, at first I had a hard time not laughing at how incompetent Marshall was at covering up his crimes. His sins found him out.
After a while, I began to realize that you and I are no better than Marshall when it comes to hiding our sins from God. He who sees and knows all is fully aware of all the things we do wrong.
Amazingly, the Lord decided His Son would take the punishment for our transgressions. Amazing! You and I wouldn't allow our children to take the punishment Marshall deserves. It would be unthinkable.
Still, that is exactly what the Lord did. The innocent Christ was punished in the place of the guilty sinner. Now, for all who believe, there is not just clemency from our punishment, there is forgiveness for our personal sins.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, from the time You found Adam and Eve hiding in shame because of their sin You have been searching for Your erring children. Today I give thanks the Holy Spirit has found me and instilled in my heart a faith that acknowledges the sacrifice of Jesus. May I always be grateful. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible Readings: Jeremiah 25, 45-46 Hebrews 1
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