The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? "I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds." Jeremiah 17:9-10

It was last December when two Tennessee school buses collided.

No, the roads were not icy. Neither of the drivers had had a stroke or heart attack; there wasn't a layer of oil coating the road; there wasn't a mechanical breakdown in either vehicle.

At first glance there appeared to be no logical reason for one of those buses to make a sudden left turn, which took it across the concrete median. There was nothing obviously wrong to explain why two young girls and a teacher's aide had lost their lives.

Still there had to be an explanation.

To find that reason the Knoxville Police spent considerable time, money and manpower doing an investigation. It was an investigation which ended just a few weeks ago. Sadly, the police shared their results with the mourning families; somberly, they made a report to the waiting newsmen.

The reason was simple. James Davenport, the driver of the bus that had gone out of control, had sent and received numerous text messages. The texting stopped only when the two buses collided. Can you believe it? He was texting! Everyone knows the dangers of texting while driving; we know the tragedies which result. So why would James Davenport text someone when all those lives were in his hands?

There is only one answer possible: he was texting because he thought he could get away with it.

Now you ought to know I share the story of James Davenport not because I wish to make him a bad guy. Not at all. I share the story of James Davenport because his story is ours. No, I'm not accusing you of texting and driving. I hope you are smart enough to never do that.

But just because texting and driving isn't your sin, that doesn't make you an innocent. You see, beginning with Adam and Eve, all of humanity has committed sins because we thought we weren't going to get caught. We malign another person because we think they will never hear; we lust for someone believing they will never catch us; we envy because we believe no one will ever see our secret, heartfelt desires.

But God hears us. God catches us. God sees our secret sins.

Yes, we have been caught, and the results of our sins are more disastrous than the texting of Mr. Davenport. Because of our sins we are lost; we are condemned; we are doomed and damned.

Unless ...

unless we believe in Jesus Christ, God's innocent Son. So our secret sins, so every sin, might be erased, Jesus lived His life for us. His completed work guarantees that all who believe on the risen Redeemer are freed from condemnation and shall stand innocent before the eternal Judge.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, You know all about our deceitful hearts. I give thanks Your love reaches out and saves me through Jesus. May I proclaim and share the wonders of Your grace. In His Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Proverbs 19-21    Acts 3

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