THE PERMANENT RECORD
"Do you want that to go on your permanent record?"

2 Samuel 18:1-15
1 David mustered the men who were with him and appointed over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. . . . 8 The battle spread out over the whole countryside, and the forest claimed more lives that day than the sword. 9 Now Absalom happened to meet David's men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom's head got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going. . . . 14 [Joab, one of David's men] took three javelins in his hand and plunged them into Absalom's heart while Absalom was still alive in the oak tree. 15 And ten of Joab's armor-bearers surrounded Absalom, struck him and killed him.

Such words used to strike fear in the average schoolchild. No one ever knew what dusty file cabinet contained the thick manila folder or in what deep catacomb it was stored, but the mere mention of such a record could invoke sheer terror--or at least improved behavior.

Now, of course, whatever was in that elusive file has been transferred to some vast database somewhere. Besides, as Bob Greene, columnist for the Chicago Tribune, warns, today's children would bring a lawsuit if they were threatened with such a thing.

A permanent record doesn't have to be a bad thing. Good grades, a good credit report, or a good job evaluation are all part of the record of your life. And so is the way you treat other people, act with integrity, or live selflessly, . . . or even use that great sense of humor.

Too much bad stuff about you already recorded? It doesn't mean your record is written in indelible ink. Look at David, the king of Israel. This was a man who greatly sinned and suffered serious consequences. But he repented and God restored him. Luke wrote in the book of Acts that God said, "David son of Jesse [is] a man after My own heart" (Acts 13:22). Unfortunately, in 2 Samuel we read the account of David's son Absalom, whose permanent record is still remembered. It contains descriptions of his disloyalty to his father David, and a tragic and unusual death.

Unhappy with the way your life reads? It's not too late. Jesus is the restorer of broken lives. When we repent and ask Him to be the Lord of our life and the Savior of our soul, He will rewrite our life with His forgiveness. Are you ready for a new record? --Cindy Kasper

DESTINATION POINTS

* What is written in the record of my life? If I could, what would I change?
* Do I know Jesus as my Savior? Will I ask Him to rewrite my record?

LINKS
The Forgiveness Of God
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0602

bottom line: A bad record doesn't have to be permanent.

soul journey