Arise: Week 8, February 20,2016

Small mistakes can have costly consequences.

 

In 1990 the United States launched the Hubble telescope into space (photo).  Many of its dramatic photos have become iconic (photos).  It enabled us to peer into the recesses of space without the distortions of earth’s atmosphere.  It cost 1.5 billion to create and launch.  However, its beginning was marred.  When the first images were received, the scientists were horrified.  There was a startling lack of clarity.  The pictures were fuzzy.  They discovered that the mirror was ground with a small deviation of 2.2 micrometers (photo).  They were off by only 1/50th the width of a human hair.  Small mistake.

 

They set about devising a correction.  It required another mission to outer space to place further corrective lenses on Hubble (photo).  That small mistake cost an additional 1.2 billion!

 

Small mistakes can have costly consequences.

 

In our lives we often err—in big and small ways and I wonder if we ever stop to consider the consequences.  Small sins, missteps, transgressions can cost us dearly and cost those dear to us.  

 

Perhaps no story in the Bible better illustrates this than the account of Achan in Joshua 7.  He pilfered some silver, some gold and a purple robe—not that much it would seem—but the cost to him, his family and his nation was astronomical.

 

It’s a perfect case study of sin—its culprits, its cost, and most importantly, its cure!  Don’t miss that last word.  There is hope.  There is a cure.  Though we all sin, there is a Savior.

 

ARISE

“A Case Study of Sin”

Joshua 7:1-26

 

1. Sin’s culprits

 

But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan . . . took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel. (Joshua 7:1).

 

1. Obvious culprit

 

1. Overlooked culprits

 

2. Sin’s cost

 

And Joshua said, “Why did you bring trouble on us? The Lord brings trouble on you today.” And all Israel stoned him with stones. They burned them with fire and stoned them with stones (Joshua 7:25).

 

1. Individual cost

 

1. Incidental cost

 

3. Sin’s cure

 

Then the Lord turned from his burning anger. Therefore, to this day the name of that place is called the Valley of Achor (Joshua 7:26b).

 

1. Admission of sin

 

1. Atonement for sin