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Dear Shiloh Family,

He was guilty. He had been caught red (or better yet, lead) handed. Sadly, he sat in his truck and awaited his fate. Actually, it was from a scene of North Woods Law, and a duck hunter had been busted by the Game Warden for using shotgun shells with lead shot. I know, only a true red-neck would watch a reality TV show where poachers, trespassers, and other law breakers get caught on camera violating the law. I’m not sure whether we are good conservationists or just hoping to find new ways not to get caught. Either way, it sure keeps one abreast of the game laws and regs.

Consequently, in Montana, it is illegal to use shells which contain lead shot. Supposedly, the fish and waterfowl eat the lead BBs in the shells, and get poisoned. Therefore, hunters must use steel shot.

The guilty hunter had inadvertently picked up a pre-opened box of shells that contained mixed lead and steel shot. There were only three errant shells, and even though he did it accidentally, he was still in violation. So, he faced the DNR representative with anticipation of a dreadful outcome.

After much scolding, interrogation, and deliberation, the Conservation Officer doled out the impending governmental requirement, aka, ticket. As it turned out, the officer actually did have a heart. Fortunately, the young hunter had purchased a new box of steel shot shells on his way to the duck blind, and was in compliance in every other category. So, the Officer, though justified in the punishment, simply gave a written warning with no other consequences…in other words, he showed mercy. The power of the law was behind the badge, but grace and mercy prevailed. Justice called, but mercy answered.

Psalm 89:13-14: 13 You have a mighty arm; Strong is Your hand, and high is Your right hand. 14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face. NKJV

I was once a sinner, dead in my trespasses and sin. Payment for my sin was certain death and eternal punishment. But God, through His son Jesus Christ extended Grace, and Jesus showed mercy on the Cross. His Holy Spirit drew me into the knowledge that I needed a Savior. The all-powerful God of the universe who hung the stars in place, placed the Earth on its axis, painted the Milky Way, and lit up the colors of the rainbow saw me in His tomorrow. The one who created all things perfectly and placed man over its entirety knew I would be ungrateful and rebellious to the point of deserving no consideration. Yet, He loved me enough to give the most precious commodity of Heaven to redeem my unworthy soul. Justice demanded payment, but mercy rendered pardon.

By the way, even unintentional sin is still sin. Flesh is just prone to sin, but he covered that as well. John tells us that we need simply to confess those sins, and that God is faithful even when we are not. That tells me that there is no limit to His grace and, and His mercy is free and enduring. 

Ephesians 2:4-5: 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), NKJV

It’s difficult to appreciate the beauty of the Mountain Top when we forget the ugliness in the depts of the valley. 

God bless you all,
Pastor Derrell