An Unmade Call

TITLE: An Unmade Call
DATE: January 22, 2019
TEXT: Psalm 32:1 ESV - Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
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Some people have asked what I thought about Sunday’s football game for the NFC Championship last Sunday. I told them that:

1. since I don’t like to alienate entire segments of the country by speaking for or against a local team, I have made it a habit not to cover any football games and…
2. since I am neither a fan of the New Orleans Saints or the Los Angeles Rams I could think of no special reason why this game should be an exception.  

That’s when my friends sort of put their heads down and with a very quiet voice confessed, they really didn’t want my opinion on the game as much as they wanted it on the referees. After a bit of prodding they narrowed it down and said they wanted my thoughts on one call which was not made in the fourth quarter.

Yup, you heard that right. They wanted my opinion about a call which wasn’t made.

In as simple a way as I can, let me explain what happened… or what didn’t happen at the game.

The score was tied with 1:45 left to play. The Saints had the ball in the Rams territory. A pass was thrown but the Saints receiver was hit long before the pass ever got to him…

That is called “pass interference.” Pass interference is a bad thing which carries a big penalty. But there was more. The Saints receiver was clobbered in his helmet by the helmet of the fellow from the Rams’ team. Which is also a really big penalty.

If either penalty had been called the Saints, would probably have been Superbowl bound.  

But neither call was made and the Rams won the game in overtime. Yes, the Rams won the game because, and I am not questioning the integrity or honesty of anyone here, it appears the referees turned “a blind eye” to some pretty blatant fouls. Generally speaking turning a blind eye to something is not a good thing.  On Sunday that was certainly the case as…

• there were gamblers in Vegas who were not pleased with the unmade call.
• the City of New Orleans was not happy a blind eye had been turned…
• the entire team of the Saints, with their families and friends must deplore the calls not made because of a blind eye.

Truly, I can’t think of many times that turning a blind eye can be a good thing… unless… it is when the Lord turns a blind eye to the sins of His adopted and forgiven children.

As the all-knowing, all-seeing Triune God He is aware of every sin we will ever commit. But because of the life, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus; because of the faith which has been placed within us by the Holy Spirit, our sins which were like scarlet, shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. (Isaiah 1:18)
Because of this change, as 2 Corinthians 5:19a says, “ in Christ God reconciled the world to himself and did not count our trespasses against us.”

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks that You have provided a means by which I can be forgiven and saved. Now I may forgive others as You have forgiven me. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written by Alexandria Hein for Fox News on January 21, 2019. Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: https://www.foxnews.com/health/louisiana-eye-doctor-offers-free-exams-for-nfl-refs-after-saints-crushing-loss

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html