“Lovely
to look at, delightful to hold, but if you
should break it consider it sold!”
My wife and I had a similar sign in our antique shop
and liked another which read: “Unattended children will be sold as slaves.”
Touchers and holders made us nervous. Of course, we expected our customers to
handle and examine what interested them. Looking only is akin to buying sight
unseen. Fortunately there were no breaks.
We see similar signs when visiting antique stores, but
it doesn’t prevent our touching, holding, examining or running our fingers over
items that interest us. Sometimes even with stuff we have no intention of
buying. And luckily, we’ve never broken anything either.
My life, on the other hand, hasn’t been so privileged.
I’ve broken trust, relationships, laws, rules, reputations, guidelines, and a
host of other things I don’t care to remember. And I’ve been broken by other
people’s bad decisions, unkind comments, false accusations and criminal acts.
Who hasn’t?
When I consider what I’ve done to others and had done
to me, God’s word is strikingly comforting: For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more. (Hebrews 8:12)
Reflecting on God’s modus operandi in the Old
Testament, the writer relishes the change. No more continuous animal sacrifices,
attempting to cover his sins. No more blood and guts. No more persistent guilt
feelings froml knowing an animal’s death couldn’t really pay for sins. No more
trekking back and forth to Jerusalem in search of a priest to intercede for him.
And I’m glad too. I may be broken but I’m forgiven.
The slate is wiped clean. No sins are overlooked or beyond God’s reach. No more
animals. No more intercessors. Just the comfort of knowing Christ’s blood has
mended the broken shards of my life’s messes. I’m totally repaired; eternally
free.
Face the future with courage and optimism knowing
Christ is able to clean up your breaks free of charge.
Prayer: Merciful Lord, we thank You for the complete
forgiveness we have in You.
Martin Wiles
mandmwiles@homesc.com
Harleyville, South Carolina, USA
www.morningliteministry.com
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.