Today’s Text: Leviticus 25-27
Key Text: Leviticus 26:3-5
“If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them, then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. Your threshing shall last to the time of the grape harvest, and the grape harvest shall last to the time for sowing. And you shall eat your bread to the full and dwell in your land securely.”
I’m not much on the so-called “health and wealth” gospel.
The whole idea of “Send in this offering, preferably in tens and twenties; sow this seed of faith with cold hard cash and you will be blessed beyond your wildest dreams!” smacks of circus tent and traveling medicine shows if you ask me.
On the other hand, the scripture does promise real, material blessing as a result of obedience.
How do we reconcile the two?
I think the solution may be simple enough.
God instructs us in how we should live not because he is an angry, vengeful God demanding obedience to satisfy His great need – but because God simply desires that we be happy and blessed.
God loves us – and so instructs us as a loving parent instructs his or her children – that we may be blessed.
In other words, blessing is the result of “doing the right thing” – it is simply the natural result of living in holy and righteous ways.
Does it mean God’s people will always be “healthy, wealthy, and wise” according to the world’s standards? No.
It does mean, though, that God’s way of living is the best way of living and will often naturally result in experiencing health and happiness and blessing.
Eat right – and you are more likely to be healthy.
Live right – and you are more likely to be at peace and dwell in security.
Follow God’s counsel – and you are more likely to experience joy in its deepest sense, even if, for one reason or another you are not necessarily “happy.”
Maybe it’s not such a mystery after all.
God loves us – and desires the very best for us.
Isn’t it wonderful that He often instructs us on how to achieve that goal?
It’s just a question of whether we will follow that counsel – or take matters into our own hands – at our own risk.
IGW3 - In God's Word, In God's Will, In God's Work 