And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

There are some things that simply can't be replaced.

That's what I learned from a story that was carried last week by Reuters. It seems some unusually harsh Arctic snowstorms had swept across Southeast England. Unprepared for such harsh weather, hundreds of people found themselves stranded in their cars in near whiteout conditions.

That is why the police department of Kent was all ears when a lady called up and said, "I haven't been out to check on him for five hours, but I went outside for a cigarette, he's gone."

Who was gone -- a child? -- a forgetful parent? -- a beloved pet, perhaps?

The mind of the police dispatcher raced as he sought more information. "Tell me, ma'am, just who has gone missing?"

The lady, with pathos and pain in her voice replied, "My snowman. I thought that with it being icy and there not being anybody on the road, he'd be safe." The lady then added, "I don't live in a nice neighborhood, but you don't expect anybody to steal your snowman."

When I read that story, two questions occurred to me: First, why would anyone steal the lady's snowman? Second, why doesn't she go out and build another?

Snowmen are, after all, things that can be replaced.

Not everything can be ... you know ... replaced. At the very top of that list would be the Savior. As the book of Acts puts it, His is the only Name that gives salvation, forgiveness, hope and heaven to sinful humanity.

When it comes to our being saved, Jesus is the only Person who can do the job and it's a mistake to think you can go out and build yourself or buy yourself another Redeemer.

He is unique -- unique in His love, unique in His work, unique in keeping His promises.

Indeed, Jesus is so unique it is quite right that we regularly and faithfully give thanks to the Lord for all He has done.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, the world values many things and gets concerned about some strange things. Send Your Holy Spirit so we may concentrate on the one thing that is needful: our Lord and Savior. For Your grace and His sacrifice, accept my thanks. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 79-80    Revelation 7

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