One Year Bible, February 24

LEVITICUS 15:1-16:28
Mankind's sin nature flows like a fountain from within. Bodily secretions speak of SIN. Because sin is uncleanness, it has to be cleansed and bloody offerings made.

Day of Atonement: The Feast of Tabernacles was the third great feast. The 1st day was called Feast of Trumpets. The 10th day was called the Day of Atonement and marked the only occasions that Aaron was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies. He did not wear his glorious and beautiful garments, but only his holy, white linen undergarments, robe and turban. First he made atonement for himself and his family with a bull. Then a ram was offered as a burnt offering for Aaron. Then, he took two goats: the Lord's goat and the scapegoat. The Lord's goat was sacrificed, the blood caught and sprinkled. The scapegoat was brought to the door, and with both hands on its head, Aaron confessed all the sins of Israel on it. Then that goat was taken to the wilderness and released, forgiven and freed. Jesus is first both goats, dying for our sins and carrying them away. Then, the goats are you and me, losing our old/natural lives and walking in our new life.

The Day of Atonement was a solemn occasion of cleansing the sanctuary and the nation. It was a day of fasting, and no work could be done on that day because it looked forward to the "finished work" of Jesus Christ. It was a day for "the affliction of the soul" - mourning, repentance, purification.

RESPONSE:   "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." (Heb 9:11-12) Jesus did it all! There is nothing more I can do to be acceptable to God. There is plenty I can do, however, to give Him pleasure. But I don't have to sacrifice to gain His favor. Early in my marriage, I was fretting about not have enough time to clean the apartment AND go for a walk with my new husband. My husband told me he wanted a wife, not a housekeeper. I think about that a lot in my relationship with Jesus. God loves me and paid the price to have me with Him. 

MARK 7:1-23
The opposition came looking for trouble. Jesus got right to the heart of the problem: Their religion was all outward show and their hearts were still wicked. Their religion was external, without letting God touch their hearts. They had substituted tradition instead real worship. The traditions themselves weren't good or bad. Good or bad originates in our hearts - which for them were untouched by the Word! The list tells us where evil comes from. If you are guilty of one of them, you are capable or all of them. I guess the devil didn't make me do it!

RESPONSE:   When my heart is not in it, and I just go through the motions of worship, God calls that flattery, and He hates it. But, I found out that I can force my heart to worship with what I speak.  James calls the tongue a rudder, able to turn a whole ship - so that's what I use it for.  My heart is fickle, lazy, and self-serving. BUT, I can also set it on fire for God! I talk to it. Out loud. God is good, and it is because of His goodness that I am not struck dead. That He reached out to me, and chose me, and called me, and wooed me, and worked on me when no one else would have wanted me. God is faithful and is never too tired to listen to me. I take my mind captive and drag it to the throne of God because He is worthy!

PSALM 40:11-17
"Tendermercies" - The action of the womb to nourish, cherish and protect the fetus; compassion.

"Lovingkindness" - The response in a mother that causes her milk to let down when the baby cries, so connected is she with her offspring. God's favor and faithfulness, goodness and grace flow so freely. It is the full flow of natural affection.

"Truth” - Faithfulness, trustworthiness, stability. The picture is of strong arms supporting a helpless baby.

These three words are foundational to covenant with God and imply permanence and care. They express the character of God. When God revealed Himself to Moses, it says, "And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful (tendermercies) and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness (lovingkindness) and truth..." (Ex 34:6) NEVER read these word "lightly". David said he would not refrain from declaring this revelation about God's character, or from coming under the protection and care of them either.

And may those who "love God say continually, THE LORD BE MAGNIFIED." The Lord be praised as greater, more exalted, and more glorious than anything. I magnify God when I believe right and live right in obedience to Him, and I diminish the Name of the Lord by my disobedience or rebellion.

PROVERBS 10:13-14
Where understanding is, there is wisdom. A person who really discerns or has insight about what is going on, speaks wisely because he can rightly judge the situation. Part of being wise is to know when to speak and when to be quiet. A fool bears his own disgrace of having to be taught the hard way because he won't listen to wisdom.

RESPONSE:   God, when I cry, does Your mercy "let down"? Are You so connected to me that You can't help Yourself? And You are abundant in mercy! I magnify Your Name - You are truly great. You are glorious. You are fabulous!