Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

19 February 2024

Reading From Leviticus 19-21

“When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God.

Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight.

Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.

When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.””

–Excerpts from Leviticus 19

     God’s heart of compassion for people comes through in His laws given through Moses.  Yahweh wanted His children to create a society with built-in provision for the poor,[1] fair labor practices,[2] equality in judicial proceedings,[3] and foreigners to be treated equally, the same as citizens.[4]  There is so much to learn about when one actually reads the whole Bible cover to cover and not just picking bits and pieces here and there as at a buffet.[5]  The passage concerning foreigners reminded me of my own nation, the United States.  At some point or another, every people group including Native Americans were immigrants.  We would do well to consider not only the laws set down by the Great I AM but also the heart and spirit behind those laws.

“Lord Jesus, every time I read Your Word I fall in love with You all over again.  Thank You for Your wisdom and compassion.  I pray that more people will come to You for direction not only in our daily lives but for our society as a whole.  I pray that we would put our faith into action and that Your love and knowledge would spread over planet Earth as water covers the seas.  Amen.”

How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
    By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart;
    do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
    that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:9-11

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[1] Proverbs 14:31, 19:17, I John 3:17-18

[2] James 5:4, Jeremiah 22:13, I Timothy 5:18

[3] Proverbs 31:8-9, James 2:1-4

[4] Genesis 23:4, Deuteronomy 10:19

[5] Acts 20:27, I Timothy 3:16-17