"I am the LORD. If you ... keep My commandments, and perform them ... I will give peace in the land ... I will look on you favorably ... I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.... But if you do not obey Me ... but break My covenant ... I will even appoint terror over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart ... I will punish you seven times more for your sins.... And those of you who are left ... they shall waste away. But if they confess their iniquity and ... are humbled ... then I will remember My covenant ... I will not cast them away ... for I am the LORD their God."
~ Leviticus 26 (NKJV)
"I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
~ Matthew 28:20 (NKJV)
Isn't one of the deepest desires of the human heart the desire to belong? To feel included in whatever group of people one becomes part of? There is no greater treasure than to be included in the group of people the King of the universe calls "My people."
Our God is stubborn in the very best sense. When blessing fails to win the hearts of the people He has purchased, He will allow them to receive the fruit of their choices, until they come to a place of such despair they might become willing to return to Him. He does not give up on His people.
To belong to God means submission and obedience to Him—a prospect some find distasteful. Incredible! How could anyone not delight to belong to the good God who loves and blesses as ours does?
What a privilege to attend church and worship our Creator as part of those God calls "My people."
Lord God, You are worthy of our very best. As You are worshiped across the globe this Sunday, please put in our hearts the ability to give back to You the thanks and praise due to Your holy name.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
I love to worship You Lord.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written. Amen! I was just thinking today of the covenant and its link to mercy towards those that obey his laws. I love how the holy spirit moves you!
ReplyDeleteI am just behind you in Leviticus, Anne. I read up to chapter 19 today. I'm also reading John. Even though John mentions abundant life in Christ and Leviticus establishes laws, the fundamental parallels astound me.
ReplyDeleteEach read through God's Word brings something new. For some reason I'm very caught up in the drama now. :) The Jewish leaders coming after Jesus at passover time; listeners picking up stones to kill Him, and Jesus escaping in the crowd.
Not only does He impart Truth, He does it in an exciting, compelling way. God's Word is amazing! :)
God's Word always amazes me. I read Leviticus now, glimpse its pictures of Jesus, and wonder that it once bored me. No matter how often I read the Gospels, my love for Jesus grows with each direct portrayal of God's astounding wisdom, grace, wit, love—all displayed in human humility.
ReplyDeleteI also wonder at all the links between parallel old and new covenants. I fully appreciate what the old revealed, and glory to be among those who subscribe to the new and improved covenant of grace, full freedom in Christ's blood.