The Forgiveness Of God

'If they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their forefathers, in their unfaithfulness which they committed against Me, and also in their acting with hostility against Me...... then I will remember My covenant with Jacob, and I will remember also My covenant with Isaac, and My covenant with Abraham as well, and I will remember the land." Lev 26:40-42

The Book of Leviticus is much maligned and often quoted out of context by secular society. It seems to be used by many to show how unreasonable and mean-spirited God is. No one likes rules especially when they interfere with our own selfish desires. From sexual prohibitions to the observance of the Sabbath, Leviticus lays out what God expects from his people. Yet, even some "born-again" believers look at this book as just Old Testament "stuff" that no longer applies because Jesus died for all sin.

As I have been reading through Leviticus and letting the Lord speak to me through it I have come to discover, how much love is really in this wonderful book. As God lead his people out of Egypt and into the land of Canaan, God was preparing his them for the sin that they would find there and like any good father would do for his children, God warned his loved ones, of the trouble awaiting them. As I read this text I see a father pleading with his children to listen to his wisdom so that they don't get hurt.

However, like a good parent, God knew his children would not listen. They could not stop themselves from engaging in improper sexual activity or would not be able to rest from their work on the sabbath. Just like a little boy who had been told over and over that the stove was hot and he still reached up and had to find out for himself. Ouch! God knew they would stray and had to outline for them their punishment.

"Do not defile yourselves by any of these things; for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled." (Lev 19:24) God had seen this behavior from the Canaanites who inhabited the land they were about to enter and did not want his children to fall prey to the things that caused them to be cast out of their land.

God lovingly warns of and sternly promises punishment for sins so that they may live freely. Yet, he also knows that they will fall and he will have to punish them. But at the end of the punishment, God promises forgiveness if his people genuinely repent.

Modern America needs this kind of forgiveness now. Like the Canaanites, I am afraid God is going to cast us from our land because of our disobedience. I pray that we believers wake up before we find ourselves under God's punishment. It's time we repent!

My prayer. Father you are a God of many chances because you love your people. We have taken advantage of your kindness and have deservedly brought your wrath upon our country. Forgive us again please Father and let your mercy reign one more time. I am sorry Lord for the times I ignored your warnings and took advantage of your kindness. I love you Father, and I pray in earnest for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, who are still in sin and disobedience. Thank you for your mercy and your favor, it is truly more than we deserve. I pray in Jesus name, Amen!

Because our Time is Short

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12)

Moses is credited with writing Psalm 90. Empowered by the Holy Spirit he cries out to the Lord for mercy and rescue from God's wrath. He pleads for his limited time on earth to be pleasing to God and productive for the Kingdom.

These days seem anxious. The state of the world, especially here in America, reflects a sense of uncertainty, frustration and fear among the people unlike I have ever experienced in my fifty years. Psalm 90's tone sounds as if it could have been written yesterday as the prayer cries out to God. "We are consumed by your indignation," Moses pleads. "You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence." (Psalm 90:7-8)

When we are called before the Lord in judgement, everything we have ever done will be laid bare before Him. Yes, even though we are saved our Father will show us what he saw in us even the "secret sins" we comitted when we thought no one was watching. He is coming, and he may be here sooner than we think.

While I have faith in the salvation that I received from Christ, I, like Moses, am uncomfortable as I reflect on my future meeting with my Father. I can only pray that he "establish the work of (my) hands (now)" and help me "gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:17, 12)

My prayer. Father again I confess the secret sins still present in my life. Despite the relationship you have offered to me, I continue to put myself and the desires of my sinful nature ahead of your will. Teach me Father to "number my days aright" before my time in your earthly service has passed me by. Thank you Lord for your mercy and grace and for establishing the work of my hands that I might store up my treasures in heaven. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!