“I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.”

Leviticus 26:40-42 says, ” ‘But if they will confess their sins and the sins of their fathers—their treachery against me and their hostility toward me, which made me hostile toward them so that I sent them into the land of their enemies—then when their uncircumcised hearts are humbled and they pay for their sin, I will remember my covenant with Jacob and my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land.”

Observation: God began in Ch. 26 by telling the people what their reward will be for obedience. He said they would be well taken care of. God then goes on to tell the people what their punishment will be for disobedience: He will rock their world and life will be pretty horrible. But several times in this passage He always reminds them that if they will change their ways and repent, He will be quick to forgive and watch over them and provide for all their needs. In the above passage he makes it simple, confess your sins, and your fathers sins, and we’ll be good. He is looking for a humble heart (which was brought to completion through Jesus Christ, the most humble of all). He says that he will remember his promise to Jacob and all will be well.

Application: We know from Bible history that the Israelites did not do a good job of obeying God, and all the things He warned them against came to fruition. When we read the Old Testament people often note how vengeful God is. That He allows horrible things to happen to His people, and to others. But if we look at Leviticus, we see that in everything He commands, He is constantly admonishing his people to follow his commands. And if they break a command He always gives them a way to get back into fellowship with Him. He tells them a beautiful statement: I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. God so desires to walk with us, but he is asking obedience and trust! Why do I not obey God at times in my life? Probably because I have taken HIs forgiveness for granted. I abuse His love.

Prayer: God, thank you for always forgiving me. But God, I ask that you help me to walk in your commands. My most fervent prayer is this: “I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.” I want to be yours and I want you to walk with me everyday!