SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 26
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. [Matthew 7:13-14]
The Lord is reminding His people that choosing to follow and obey Him will result in blessing, while choosing to reject Him and His way will result in misery and death.
The path that we choose will determine the destination that we reach.
The words in Levticus 26 are a fairly accurate picture of what happens to Israel.
They reject the Lord, and then things go from bad to worse until they are exiled – scattered among the nations.
And the land enjoys its sabbath rest [compare Leviticus 26:34 with 2 Chronicles 36:21].
They also show that the judgment will not be final, that the Lord will remember His covenant and will restore His people when they finally repent.
Do we believe this?
Do we believe that following Jesus is the better way, that it leads to life, while going our own way actually leads to misery and death?
This is true not only in the ultimate sense, but in daily living.
If I commit a specific sin, it will tip my scale in a not so healthy direction, it will undermine my heart, my mind, my focus, my integrity – even if only slightly.
But watch those little indiscretions add up.
All it takes is a straw to break the camel’s back.
Or it only takes a spark to get a fire going… you get the point.
We need to take Jesus (and all the bible) seriously when we are warned about reaping what we sow.
The seed we plant, we harvest.
Follow the Lord, and life will move in the direction of blessing and success; go our own way, and life will move in the direction of misery and death.
Remember, the path that we choose will determine the destination that we reach.
PRAYER:
Lord, I know from experience that this is true. I can think of ways that I increase my misery by my foolish choices. Impress this truth on my heart.
As for those of you who are left, I will make their hearts so fearful in the lands of their enemies that the sound of a windblown leaf will put them to flight.vs.36
I read an article about Neuroeconomics this weekend that states that countries with higher levels of trust are more prosperous. Countries with low levels of trust have very few economic transactions and don’t create wealth. These researchers surmise that trust is a kind of social glue that sustains societies and economies and they want to know why and how they can leverage that knowledge.
This struck me because a few years ago I spoke to a farmer who had gone on a mission trip to the Romanian country side. He stated that the people where very poor there although they had everything they needed to prosper. The missing factor was trust. They were unable to work together to achieve what they all needed.
For me these are things that our world is dealing with today that illustrate the validity of the “Jesus Life” and why when people live selfishly for themselves they reap what God is talking about here.
In any family, for peace and harmony, the children follow the household rules. Break the rules and there will be unhappiness. It is no different in being a member of God’s family.
Do this and Live. That’s what the Master said. He said that not only to Adam, but to His people continually. Follow my commands and there will peace and prosperity and the land will produce. Break my commands and there will be strife and discord and thorns and thistles.
And so today, I need to trust and obey. I must walk in His Sonshine for any other way bring darkness and discord and unhappiness. God is a God who remembers His promises and He is Lord. Lord help me on my way to follow You. I was made to serve – not self serve but serve You. I am a kingdom kid working for my King. I am God’s child, part of the family of God and therefore living by His rules. There is no other way. Guide me this day Lord to do Your will.
Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
[or Guide me, O Thou great Redeemer…]
Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven,
Feed me till I want no more;
Feed me till I want no more.
Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield;
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield.
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of deaths, and hell’s destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises,
I will ever give to Thee;
I will ever give to Thee.