Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Leviticus 26 - Choosing Sides

At some point you have to make a commitment. Even in not making a commitment you have taken a stand. Unfortunately, there are a great number of people who claim the name if Christ but still keep one foot firmly planted in the  world's camp. They have taken a stand, but probably not the one they think they have. They believe they are reconciled with God even though their lifestyle centers on themselves. My heart aches for these people attending church and going through the motions not recognizing that they are indeed lost. 

This chapter makes it quite clear that when we choose to live as God's people there are some signs and some results that separate us from the world. Those on God's team choose obedience. They don't have other alliegiances that compete with God; no idols. They follow Hod's pattern because it is God's and they are his people. 

God in turn marks his people by granting blessing, peace, provision, even abundance. No enemy will stand against God's people and even the weather is in their favor. Living in favor and peace with God, his people enjoy fellowship and blessings beyond measure. They will fellowship with a God who breaks down barriers and overcomes foes. Consider what he did for his people in breaking them free from Egyptian oppression. 

Those who are not fully God's claiming his name but living their own way are promised terrible plagues and destruction. God will first send correction, then judgement being separated from their land and dying in captivity. The Babylonian captivity is foretold in this chapter not as a possibility but as a done deal. Consider Lev 26:43 "For the land will be deserted by them and will enjoy its sabbaths while it lies desolate without them". The sabbath years also foretold to the prophets for the time of separation because of the sin of the people. 

God offers a solution for their sin. In Lev. 26:40-42 "but if they will confess their sins and the sins of their fathers- their treachery against me and their hostility toward me, which made me hostile toward them so that I sent them into the land of their enemies- then when their uncircumcised hearts are humbled and they pay for their sin, I will remember my covenant with Jacob and my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham and I will remember the land."  

God longs for even his strong willed children who seek their own way to turn from their rebellion and to call it what it is - sin. If we can agree with God regarding our sin and confess it, He stands ready to restore fellowship and to provide a way out of the desolation caused by our wrecklessness. 

We cannot live as if we are our own Master and still claim the name of Christ. Our love for God is demonstrated in our full on commitment demonstrated through obedience. But if you are living with chaos and desolation in your life, God offers a way out and extends forgiveness to those who will confess their offense calling it what He calls it and turn from it. We can once again have fellowship with God. 

If your time with God is dull and lifeless consider if their might be sin blocking your relationship and draining the joy of time spent in prayer and communion. God offers a rich and abundant provision if we will accept it from His hand. 

May God richly bless you as you seek Him and as you serve Him. 

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