February 26

Too Much Information

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 32:1-5 | Leviticus 19:1 – 20:21 | Mark 8:11-38 | Proverbs 10:17

Today’s Scripture Focus:  Leviticus 19-20

“Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. [8] Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy” (Leviticus 20:7-8 NIV).

Sometimes it is easy to get bogged down or give up when you are reading through Leviticus. Regulations concerning mildew, bodily discharges and oozing sores may be a little “too much information” for most of us. But it is good to see the reason behind all these guidelines. God has chosen the people of Israel to display his glory to the nations. They are his chosen, dearly loved, holy people.

In many ways, the regulations set the people of Israel apart from the other nations. Often the regulations were given to protect them from disease or illness. Other regulations were given to keep them from the idolatrous practices of the nations around them. Admittedly, in some cases, it is hard to understand the reason for the regulation. But in all cases, God is showing his special care and protection for the people he has chosen to be holy.

In the New Testament, we who are believers in Christ, become his holy, chosen and dearly loved people by entering into relationship with God through faith apart from the works of the law. We walk by the new way of the Spirit rather than by the law. Still, we too are called to show God’s glory to the nations by living lives of holiness.  In a world of compromise, God is calling his people to follow him—to become his holy people. He promises that he will be there to “make us holy.”

God has chosen you to be one of his Holy people. He is working in you to accomplish his holy purposes. He has given you his Spirit to enable you to live freely in his strength and power. He still longs for a holy people that will show his glory to the nations. As we give ourselves to Him and allow him to work in us and through us, he proves himself to be “the Lord, who makes you holy.”

Holy God, Help me to remember that I am set apart for your purposes. Help me to live in a way that is worthy of my calling. I am trusting in you to accomplish what you have started. Amen.