When the European pilgrims first began to colonise America one of the many dangers they would often face, was the threat of bush fires. As the families and small children trekked across the open plains and wilderness, along with their cattle and wagon trains loaded with every earthly possession, it was a slow and tedious journey. Often the prairie grass would be tinder dry and as high as a man, which would make the progress even slower. In the summer months dry lightning storms (without the rain) would frequently spark ferocious fires which, carried by the wind, could spread faster than a man could run. These fires were a very real danger and yet the pioneers reacted to the threat with confidence. Here’s how they did it: When the lookout saw a fire fast approaching, the wagon train would stop in its tracks. Then, putting their backs to the wind, the men would quickly light fires in front of them. Soon the whole plain would be ablaze; fire in front and fire behind, but the pilgrims knew that where the fire had already burned it could not burn again. The wagons and families would remain where they were until the grassland ahead of them had been eaten up by the flames. Then, cautiously, they would move forward into the scorched area and then stop to shelter and wait for the approaching fire to either burn out or pass them by.

When a good leader sees danger approaching they react quickly and take immediate remedial action. Often the very best form of defence is an offence – attacking the problem head on.

Similarly, as God’s anger burns against the sin that Jesus took upon himself at the cross, it burns once and for all. Once the judgment falls, it cannot fall again. We can be accepted by God because the punishment we deserve has fallen once and for all, on Jesus.

R. Ian Seymour