May 20, 2010

Today's reading: Ezra 9, 10; Nehemiah 1; Psalm 20, 50, 80, 110, 140; Proverbs 20

Ezra 9:13, "And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this;"

Many years ago I received a new BB gun for my birthday. It was a Crossman 760. You had to pump it up to get it to shoot as there was no CO2 cartridge to propel the projectile.

I remember the day that I took my BB gun out into the backyard and set it on the fence of our side yard and put a neighbor boy in my sights. I had pumped and pumped that thing up. I pulled the trigger and heard the rush of air that sent the BB flying. I remember hearing Neal yell in pain. Most of all I remember hearing the knock at the front door when Mrs. Robinson came over. Still today my stomach sinks thinking about it.

My punishment was pretty severe. I lost my BB gun for an entire year and I had to apologize to Neal. Oh yes, there was the spanking also. Even though I felt the punishment fit the crime, I am sure that it did not really. Oh, Neal lived and has grown up to be an adult. If that had happened today I would probably be writing this from a prison cell at the very least. God is merciful!

The reason for the trip down not so pleasant memory lane is because I was caught by the phrase, "God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve,". If we got what we deserve it would be hell; but, because of the love and mercy of God we can be spared that reality. The thing is that you must know Him personally. It is my wish that you do. If you do not please get to know Him very soon. We are running out of time.