Since we had always lived in the eastern part of the United States, we thought that the high boots and broad-brimmed hats of the southwest were just a fancy way to dress. We didn’t know that cowboys and others wore these for a purpose. But we changed our minds after we had wandered for a while under a blazing sun through the knee-high grasses of a Texan meadow, keeping close watch for scorpions, rattlesnakes and other poisonous critters. Then we understood the very real advantage of those high boots -to protect the legs from poisonous bites. And those big hats acted as umbrellas, not only to keep the eyes shielded from the bright sun, but to protect the head and neck from sunburn and sunstroke.
But we need protection from something even more dangerous-the penalty of our sins. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can protect us from the penalty that each of us deserves. “[Jesus] was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement [penalty] of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed [protected].” Isaiah 53:55But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5). Have you told the Lord Jesus that you know you deserve the punishment for your sins and that you want Him to save you from them? Have you thanked Him for loving you and dying for you? If you haven’t done those things yet, please do them right now. You’ll always be happy that you did, and so will He. “Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” Luke 15:77I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 15:7).
ML-08/15/1993