YOUR CHEETOS WILL FIND YOU OUT
In Kershaw County, South Carolina, deputies arrested a man thanks to a bag of Cheetos. Nineteen-year-old Austin Presler broke into the Cassatt Country Store and stole some beer, cigarettes, snack foods and energy drinks (basically all the essentials). But his tasty treats led to his downfall. As he exited the store, he opened a bag of stolen Cheetos. Along with surveillance footage, his trail of bright orange Cheetos crumbs led police to his front porch. He was immediately arrested and charged with second degree burglary.
Numbers 32:23 states, “You may be sure that your sin will find you out.” Or in Mr. Presler’s case, “Your Cheetos will find you out.” Those of us who have lived long enough to make lots of mistakes (that would be most of us) will testify to this axiom. We might dodge our consequences a few times, but eventually our actions come around to bite us like a rabid dog.
Remember Samson? How about David… and Abraham… and Adam & Eve? How about everyone else who’s ever lived (except Jesus, of course). We’ve all learned this lesson in less-than-pleasant ways.
That’s really good news… even though it doesn’t always feel that way. In our world of injustice and abuse, we need to know that righteousness wins in the end. If you’re unsure, read the last chapter of the Bible. Meanwhile, we wait for God to ultimately vindicate His people. But even in this life, sooner or later, the deeds of evil-doers will overtake them, leading to their downfall. Their “Cheetos” will find them out.
Any mom will tell you that one of a child’s most-repeated phrases is, “That’s not fair.” But it’s not just children who pine over wrong-doing. Ever watch a show, where the bad guy gets away with horrific acts, and goes unpunished? I battle to resist throwing the remote at the TV, as I shout, “NO! That’s not right!” Why? Because deep within us is a sense of justice. As image-bearers of God, we carry a longing to see justice vindicated.
More than ever, we need this reminder. Right now, there are so many unrighteous, disturbing acts occurring in our world. We can’t fix it, so we look to God to make things right. And He does. Evil people will ultimately pay for their wrong-doing. Your sin (and your Cheetos) will find you out!
Principle: Our sins will find us out.
Promise: Righteousness wins in the end.
Ponder:
When have you found yourself in a situation where you thought you could get away with something, but the consequences caught up with you?
How does God’s promise that righteousness wins in the end offer you assurance in our world where injustice seems to prevail?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study the life of Samson in Judges 13 through 16.
Prayer: “Almighty God, your laws are immutable. Please help me to live within your truth, and take comfort in your justice.”
Perceptions: Record any ideas God puts on your heart from today’s devotion.