Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

17 February 2024

Reading From Leviticus 14-15

“You must keep the Israelites separate from things that make them unclean, so they will not die in their uncleanness for defiling my dwelling place, which is among them.”

–Leviticus 15:31

     Following Mosaic Law created a lifestyle unique in the ancient world.  Built into that societal framework of holiness were guidelines which promoted physical health, social wellbeing, religious purity, and many other benefits which caused God’s people to flourish in their eventual destination of Canaan, crossroads of the Fertile Crescent.  Yahweh lived among His people, a desire that foreshadowed the naming of His Son, Immanuel, which means “God with us.”  Holiness is a major theme of Leviticus and because God is holy and His Presence was in the midst of His people, they needed to be set apart; they needed to lead holy lives. 

     Our Heavenly Father wants His children to thrive and enjoy lives which are both filled with abundance.  Thanks to the sacrificial death of Immanuel on the cross and the conquest of death in the garden tomb, He provided a way for that abundant life to be permanent.  His love and the life-giving relationship with His children reaches beyond the grave and into eternity to the New Heaven and the New Earth.  Even thousands of years ago, recorded here in the book of Leviticus, Yahweh knew that His people would experience physical death, but wanted them to die in peace.  The way for them to do so was by leading holy lives, living according to the laws of God. 

     So, He instructed Moses and Aaron and those assisting them in leadership to do their best to keep His people living clean, healthy, and holy lifestyles.  God wants the best for His children, from cradle to the grave and beyond.  He knows that in this sinful, fallen world there will be troubles and even tragedies, but He is always there to comfort and strengthen and guide us forward to our destiny in Him.  Still today we are to lead lives holy and pleasing to Him as our loving, spiritual act of worship.  Not because we need to earn our standing with Him (only Jesus could provide that for us), but simple because we love Him and want to please our Father.

“Lord Jesus help my life to be distinguished from the crowd.  I pray that I won’t succumb to the temptation to go with the flow.  Give me the courage and resolve to stand up for what is right in Your eyes and put my faith into action.  Reveal to me what holiness looks like in the modern world.  Thank You for the power of the Holy Spirit.  You enable me to follow You; to walk in Your ways.  Let me dwell in Your House for all my days.  Amen.”

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
    He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
    He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

–Psalm 23