Deep within the Law of Moses you’ll discover wise words for wisenheimers like me who imagine that we can get away with sin.  Sneak through by the skin of our teeth.  Feather our nests by whatever means.  Supposedly when comedian W.C. Fields is in hospital for the last time, he’s caught reading a Bible.  A friend asks him about this rather unexpected behavior.  Field’s comment?  ‘I’m looking for a loophole!’  Keep looking, W. C.–sorry, none will be found.

Numbers 33: 55–‘But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom you let remain shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell.’   Sin does a number on us.  Dings, mucks up, and pokes full of holes everything in its path.  The whole kit and caboodle.

Like barbs in your eyes, giving excruciating pain to something super sensitive and tender.  Or a thorn in your side, which easily gets infected, spreading toxic bugs.

Personally, my conscience becomes numb the longer I allow sin to fester unchecked.  I grow cold to my Bible.  Ignoring it.  Becoming bitter and critical of God’s people.  A downward, slippery slope.  Why?  I know why.  So do you.  It’s that three letter word.  Nothing to be toyed with as sin’s barbs and thorns do their dismal, dirty work.

Be honest.  Anything keeping you from closeness with Jesus?  Fess up.  Mean what you say.  Ask for His help if you really want it.  Then be forgiven and move on.  Jesus gladly cleans us up.  Clean as clean can be.

Refuse to look back, which I find easier said than done.  Exercise faith’s forward-moving muscles.  Get stronger in Jesus.  Determined and single-minded.  No ifs and or buts about trusting Him.  All-in!

This takes effort.  Doesn’t come easy.  Barbs and thorns still hang around nearby.

Nevertheless, I’ll try if you will!

Thank you, Jesus, for cleaning up our lives.  For your sake.  Amen.