READING: Leviticus 17-19, Mark 1:21-45
It’s one of those verses that I’ve read many times but never caught before. It’s funny how that happens, but it’s also a reminder that God’s Word continually has something to say to us. Here’s the text from today’s reading: “Do not follow the practices of the land of Egypt, where you used to live, or follow the practices of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. You must not follow their customs” (Lev. 18:3).
This verse appears in a section of chapters that call God’s people to be holy – to be uniquely different from the rest of the world because they were following the one true God. They were not to follow the practices of where they used to live, nor were they to adopt the practices of the inhabitants of Canaan. No matter where they lived under the will and direction of God, they were to be holy.
Many of us still struggle with sins and idols of yesterday. Most, if not all of us, will face the lure of idols in the future. The enemy wants to drag us into past sins or to pull us toward tomorrow’s sin. In either case, we must choose to do what God required of His people: “Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy” (Lev. 19:2).
PRAYER: “Lord, grant me Your strength to be faithful to You. Always.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Leviticus 20-21, Mark 2