READING: Leviticus 16-18
Two points capture my attention today. First, God is the Lord. We know that truth, but knowing it doesn’t always mean we follow Him as God. Consequently, there’s a reason God said to His people six times in Leviticus 18, “I am the Lord.” Apparently, they would need that reminder again and again as they faced the onslaught of ungodly people around them. You and I probably need that reminder, too.
Second, the lures of culture are powerful—and we are all susceptible to them, no matter who we are. Sometimes the enemy dangles the bait of immorality in front of us, and he seeks to convince us that “everyone’s doing it.” At other times, our desire for affirmation and acceptance is so great that we choose to go the way of the world, at least temporarily. In some cases, the depth of sin around us is so great it feels like it will consume us—and it’s just easier to give in. Standing strong as light in an increasingly darkened world can be wearisome and lonely.
So, it’s not surprising God warned His people about getting caught in that trap: “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). The attraction of yesterday’s sin in Egypt would still challenge them, as would the pull of tomorrow’s sin in the land where God would bring them. Their God was/is the Lord, and yet they would be tempted to follow practices He had condemned.
The way they were to fight those battles is exactly the way you and I must fight them today: “You are to practice my ordinances and you are to keep my statutes by following them; I am the Lord your God. Keep my statutes and ordinances; a person will live if he does them. I am the Lord” (Lev 18:4-5). Holiness really does matter.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Is there any place in your life where you’re following the world?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, I commit to practice Your ordinances today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Leviticus 19-22
