Greetings, friends.

God tells us in Deuteronomy 29:29 that there are secret things that only He understands, but other things are revealed to us and to our children so that we can obey Him. Well, Leviticus 26, which I just finished reading in my devotional times, is certainly one of those “revealed” things – clear as crystal. God doesn’t beat around the bush one bit as He tells us over and over, “If you obey me, I’ll bless you, and if you disobey me, I’ll punish you.”

None of this is startlingly new information, but the doing it is where we oftentimes trip up. Why is that? God is clear about blessings and punishments, and we would all agree that blessings beat the alternative. For example, obedience brings: productive land, fruitful trees, year-round abundance, plenty of food, homeland security, peace with no fear, vanquishing of enemies, God’s presence will dwell with us, and our descendants will increase.

In contrast, disobedience leads to: panic, diseases and fevers, unproductive land and enemy opposition, fear, breaking the pride of our power, loss of children and livestock, loss of peace as enemies rule over us. If after all this there is not repentance, God Himself will unleash His fury through destruction, decimation, desolation and devastation. Then, God changes His tone in Lev. 26:40. If at this point of devastation God’s people will confess their sins and repent, God says that although there will be consequences for the sin, yet He will rememeber His covenant and will not utterly destroy His people forever.

So back to our question: In view of all this, why do we still sin? Two reasons: Immediate gratification and self-absorption. Instead of looking at where our sin leads, we only focus on the here and now and what feels good. And, we are preoccupied first with ourselves, not what is in the best interest of others, or what honors God. Consequences for sin affect not only us, but those close to us, and those who come after us. Yet, God in His grace offers to relent if we will repent.

This morning, Holly, the boys and I went on a field trip to the La Brea Tar Pits. It is an amazing place with large areas where thick, sticky tar and gases have bubbled up to the surface. Animals many years ago wandered into them and could not escape, were trapped, covered, fossilized and more followed them. It is a fossil goldmine, a testimony to the black, sticky, destructive power of sin. Water that looks so appealing is covering the tar, but wandering in for a drink will be our undoing.

Have you blown it? Are you blowing it right now, in a pattern of transgressing God’s laws? Cut it out! For your own future and that of those around you, if not for the love of God. Confess it to the Lord. Repent and turn from the sin that entangles, and receive forgiveness through Christ.

Let’s pray:
Father, we are all so prone to wander, and so easily slide down the slippery slope of sin. Please forgive us, and thank you that Christ’s death is sufficient to take away our sin, and the sin of the world. Lead us in a new way, as you tell us in your Word, so we may delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night (Ps. 1). Thank you that you are faithful to your covenant, and we can trust in your promises. In the Name of our Savior Jesus we pray, Amen.

May God’s blessings shower upon you as you seek Him first, and “make no provision for the flesh , to gratify its desires.” (Rom. 13:14)

Pressing on from the Potter’s wheel,
Eric