National Debt Clock Out Of Digits?

It was put up back in 1989 when the U.S. government's debt was a ‘mere’ $2.7 trillion. But after only 20 years the Nation Debt clock, located at Times Square in New York City, has literally run out of usable digits. Reaching the current '10 trillion dollar plus' national debt number required using the far left space, once reserved only for the digital dollar sign.

The mind-boggling 10 trillion dollar figure is beyond the comprehension of most mere mortals, many of whom still struggle to balance their own check books and figure out an appropriate tip for a waiter or waitress. But to place the staggering number in more understandable terms, it means that every American family’s share now stands at a whopping $86,019, and counting. A new ‘expanded’ version clock, capable of handling the growing numbers, will be installed for the new calendar year.

No matter how large the debt of America becomes, it remains literally a ‘drop in the bucket’ compared to the debt owed by every man and woman to God. Sin has caused a debt that could never ever be humanly measured, reduced or eliminated. It required a massive divine intervention - the one described in Romans 5:8-9. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us, Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”

The Christian’s proper response to the permanent cancellation of his debt of sin is briefly and boldly stated in two verses in1 Corinthians. Both relate to the infinite cost by Jesus Christ in order to deal with man’s guilt, rebellion, and penalty. Each verse then includes what God expects from each and every blood-bought saint.

“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men." (1 Corinthians 7:23)

One hundred years from today, few if any will care about or even remember what the national debt was, why it was, or if it was ever paid off. But each one will certainly be acutely aware whether or not the debt of their personal sin was effectively dealt with by their personal Savior!

Bill Breckenridge