December 5, 2022

Passage Read: Exodus 39 - Leviticus 2
Meditation Verse: Leviticus 1:17

Thought

The burnt offerings are to be cut in pieces and burned on the altar, and that should be shocking, but it's not until the Lord mentions tearing the bird offerings open without completely severing it that the reality of what's happening hits me. The bull or sheep offerings seem clinical and neat compared to the bird offerings. But the reality is very sad, even cruel. Death is not supposed to be a neat and tidy thing, but a horrible thing. Yet only by death can sin be atoned for so that we can approach God. Sin is horrible, and the payment for sin is cruel. What Jesus suffered for me was no light thing, and I must not treat it lightly. I should hate sin in myself because I understand the cruelty of the death sentence it brings.

Application

I can make no compact with sin. God demands death as payment; sin is no little thing. Sin is a terrible monster that deserves all disgust and hatred. It should be abhorred and rejected with all diligence. I cannot let sin reign in my body, but must submit myself fully to righteousness, to do only what is good and right. Help me do what is good and right today, Lord.