FORBEARANCE

Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them or abhor them so as to destroy them completely, breaking my covenant with them. I am the Lord their God.- LEVITICUS 26:44

I’ve been reading through the first five books of the Old Testament this year and this section of Leviticus jumped out at me. If you’ve ever read through that particular book of the Law you’ll know that it is full of very specific laws and rules governing the religious and civil practices of the Israelites. Some of the laws are actually based on common sense, like if a sore on a person’s body turns black rather than white then it is likely not too serious. Leviticus 17 has a section on dealing with mold on various fabrics or inside a house and how to ensure it is eradicated, another wise law.

Once readers get to chapter 26 they are almost done reading the book which is why, for me, these verses speaking about God’s character came through so strongly. The God of the Old Testament is depicted as a holy, righteous, and demanding God. He has very high standards for his people and little understanding for those who violate the Law. There are many examples where God holds people accountable; even Moses himself was not allowed to enter the Promised Land.

Chapter 26:44 then is one where God’s forbearance shines through. In his providence he knew that the nation of Israel would not be faithful in their obedience but he was not willing to reject them completely when they disobeyed. Despite all of the intentional and unintentional sins committed by individual Israelites and the nation as a whole, God maintained his covenant with them. To me, the phrase “Yet in spite of this…” is one of the most powerful expressions of God’s graciousness and forgiveness in Scripture.

Heavenly Father, I don’t deserve your forgiveness and can never atone for my sins on my own. Yet you choose to welcome me into your family, desiring that I live with you for eternity after I accept your son’s atoning sacrifice for me on the cross. I can’t even put my gratitude into words.

Throughout This Day: When you feel slighted today, and want to lash out, always remember how often you have experienced God’s forgiveness.

Remaining Faithful

Those who drift away from God will always find Him ready to forgive.

1 Kings 11:1-6

God gives wisdom when we ask, but we are responsible for applying that wisdom daily. Let’s consider Solomon again. Despite his great understanding, the later part of his life was marked by a turning away from God. Solomon had clear instruction not to marry foreign women, but he chose to reject God’s wisdom and do it anyway. The influence of those wives eventually led Solomon into the worship of idols.

The unfortunate downfall of the wisest man who ever lived is a helpful warning for us. No matter how strong we think we are, we aren’t above making choices that could cause us to turn away from the Lord. Over time, small decisions to ignore God’s principles can have a devastating cumulative effect: Slight compromises in how we live can put us on a path leading away from God and His perfect plan.

Is there anything in your life that you know shouldn’t be there? Have you been justifying it? If so, ask the Lord for forgiveness and submit that habit, situation, or tendency to Him. He’s waiting with open arms. (See Luke 15:20.) Choose to apply the gift of God’s wisdom to your everyday decisions, today and throughout the entirety of your life. Let’s stay faithful to walk in wisdom at all times.

Jesus Stands Among Us

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

John 20:19

When Jesus first appeared to the disciples after His resurrection, they were cowering behind locked doors, fearing what the authorities who had crucified their leader would do next. But locked doors couldn’t stop Jesus! Nothing stopped Him from entering the house and re-entering their lives, proving Himself to be their Savior and their living hope. He was able to be seen, heard, touched, known—and He approaches our lives in the same manner. No matter where we are or what we have done, Christ can enter our lives—our sadness, our darkness, our fear, our doubts—and make Himself seen and known, declaring, “Peace be with you.”

Maybe you’re a “doubting Thomas,” quick to question matters of faith. To some degree, questions are good and healthy. Thomas was straightforward with Jesus, essentially saying, I’m not going to believe in You unless I can actually put my finger in Your scars. Jesus replied to Thomas, All right, if that’s what it takes for you, here you are (John 20:24-29). Jesus can meet us in our doubts. Or maybe you’re a denying Peter, quick to renounce your identity in Christ and quick to feel condemnation for how you’ve messed up. Jesus took Peter, who had questioned Him countless times but crumbled before the question of a servant girl, and made him the rock on which His church was built (Matthew 16:18). Jesus accepts us despite our shortcomings and uses our lives in transformative ways. Or perhaps you’re a disgraced Mary Magdalene, whose past haunts you, making you feel unworthy of Jesus’ love and acceptance. Yet God did not ordain Jesus’ first recorded encounter after His resurrection to be with a Sunday-school teacher but with a woman who had a sordid past riddled with sin and had even suffered demon possession. It was no haphazard coincidence that the first embrace, as it were, from the resurrected Christ was with such a person. He offers this same redemptive embrace to us.

Jesus can get past locked doors; He can get through to hardened hearts. Through His death and resurrection, He was able to bridge the gap that sin had opened between rebellious humanity and a righteous God. We must receive the salvation He freely offers. It must be fresh in our minds each day.

Have you done this? Have you received Jesus unconditionally and unreservedly? Do you embrace Him daily? Do you rehearse His gospel to yourself each morning? To trust in this way means we give ourselves to God in service. We submit ourselves to His lordship as our Savior. We take God’s promises to heart, and we take the salvation He freely offers. With this belief, you will see that He stands beside you, offering you an eternal, intimate peace that triumphs over and transforms your sadness, your darkness, your fear, your doubts. Hear the risen Christ say to you, “Peace be with you.”

FORBEARANCE

Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them or abhor them so as to destroy them completely, breaking my covenant with them. I am the Lord their God.- LEVITICUS 26:44

I’ve been reading through the first five books of the Old Testament this year and this section of Leviticus jumped out at me. If you’ve ever read through that particular book of the Law you’ll know that it is full of very specific laws and rules governing the religious and civil practices of the Israelites. Some of the laws are actually based on common sense, like if a sore on a person’s body turns black rather than white then it is likely not too serious. Leviticus 17 has a section on dealing with mold on various fabrics or inside a house and how to ensure it is eradicated, another wise law.

Once readers get to chapter 26 they are almost done reading the book which is why, for me, these verses speaking about God’s character came through so strongly. The God of the Old Testament is depicted as a holy, righteous, and demanding God. He has very high standards for his people and little understanding for those who violate the Law. There are many examples where God holds people accountable; even Moses himself was not allowed to enter the Promised Land.

Chapter 26:44 then is one where God’s forbearance shines through. In his providence he knew that the nation of Israel would not be faithful in their obedience but he was not willing to reject them completely when they disobeyed. Despite all of the intentional and unintentional sins committed by individual Israelites and the nation as a whole, God maintained his covenant with them. To me, the phrase “Yet in spite of this…” is one of the most powerful expressions of God’s graciousness and forgiveness in Scripture.

Heavenly Father, I don’t deserve your forgiveness and can never atone for my sins on my own. Yet you choose to welcome me into your family, desiring that I live with you for eternity after I accept your son’s atoning sacrifice for me on the cross. I can’t even put my gratitude into words.

Throughout This Day: When you feel slighted today, and want to lash out, always remember how often you have experienced God’s forgiveness.

Remaining Faithful

Those who drift away from God will always find Him ready to forgive.

1 Kings 11:1-6

God gives wisdom when we ask, but we are responsible for applying that wisdom daily. Let’s consider Solomon again. Despite his great understanding, the later part of his life was marked by a turning away from God. Solomon had clear instruction not to marry foreign women, but he chose to reject God’s wisdom and do it anyway. The influence of those wives eventually led Solomon into the worship of idols.

The unfortunate downfall of the wisest man who ever lived is a helpful warning for us. No matter how strong we think we are, we aren’t above making choices that could cause us to turn away from the Lord. Over time, small decisions to ignore God’s principles can have a devastating cumulative effect: Slight compromises in how we live can put us on a path leading away from God and His perfect plan.

Is there anything in your life that you know shouldn’t be there? Have you been justifying it? If so, ask the Lord for forgiveness and submit that habit, situation, or tendency to Him. He’s waiting with open arms. (See Luke 15:20.) Choose to apply the gift of God’s wisdom to your everyday decisions, today and throughout the entirety of your life. Let’s stay faithful to walk in wisdom at all times.

Jesus Stands Among Us

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

John 20:19

When Jesus first appeared to the disciples after His resurrection, they were cowering behind locked doors, fearing what the authorities who had crucified their leader would do next. But locked doors couldn’t stop Jesus! Nothing stopped Him from entering the house and re-entering their lives, proving Himself to be their Savior and their living hope. He was able to be seen, heard, touched, known—and He approaches our lives in the same manner. No matter where we are or what we have done, Christ can enter our lives—our sadness, our darkness, our fear, our doubts—and make Himself seen and known, declaring, “Peace be with you.”

Maybe you’re a “doubting Thomas,” quick to question matters of faith. To some degree, questions are good and healthy. Thomas was straightforward with Jesus, essentially saying, I’m not going to believe in You unless I can actually put my finger in Your scars. Jesus replied to Thomas, All right, if that’s what it takes for you, here you are (John 20:24-29). Jesus can meet us in our doubts. Or maybe you’re a denying Peter, quick to renounce your identity in Christ and quick to feel condemnation for how you’ve messed up. Jesus took Peter, who had questioned Him countless times but crumbled before the question of a servant girl, and made him the rock on which His church was built (Matthew 16:18). Jesus accepts us despite our shortcomings and uses our lives in transformative ways. Or perhaps you’re a disgraced Mary Magdalene, whose past haunts you, making you feel unworthy of Jesus’ love and acceptance. Yet God did not ordain Jesus’ first recorded encounter after His resurrection to be with a Sunday-school teacher but with a woman who had a sordid past riddled with sin and had even suffered demon possession. It was no haphazard coincidence that the first embrace, as it were, from the resurrected Christ was with such a person. He offers this same redemptive embrace to us.

Jesus can get past locked doors; He can get through to hardened hearts. Through His death and resurrection, He was able to bridge the gap that sin had opened between rebellious humanity and a righteous God. We must receive the salvation He freely offers. It must be fresh in our minds each day.

Have you done this? Have you received Jesus unconditionally and unreservedly? Do you embrace Him daily? Do you rehearse His gospel to yourself each morning? To trust in this way means we give ourselves to God in service. We submit ourselves to His lordship as our Savior. We take God’s promises to heart, and we take the salvation He freely offers. With this belief, you will see that He stands beside you, offering you an eternal, intimate peace that triumphs over and transforms your sadness, your darkness, your fear, your doubts. Hear the risen Christ say to you, “Peace be with you.”