Get Real October 19 Devotional
October 19, 2024
LEVITICUS 23:26-29 | 26 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 27 Now, the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you: you shall humble yourselves and present the Lord’s offering by fire, 28 and you shall do no work during that entire day, for it is a Day of Atonement, to make atonement on your behalf before the Lord your God. 29 For those who do not humble themselves during that entire day shall be cut off from the people.
So far, we have unearthed rhythms of work and worship, freedom, gratitude, and justice. The Day of Atonement was a solemn yearly festival, which established a holy rhythm of repentance and self-denial in the lives of Israelites. There is no adequate human answer for our brokenness, for the gap between our best and worst selves, and the bigger gap between our best selves and God’s holiness. The truth is we get out of rhythm. We serve ourselves in our work. We neglect Sabbath. We get enslaved to desires and ambitions of our own making. We become resentful and jealous rather than grateful. We neglect justice and the needs of others. Days of Atonement, and moments of reflection and confession, open us to the forgiveness and renewal which frees us from guilt and shame. Lent is a season for this in the Christian year and weekly worship is also an opportunity to review our lives and seek God’s mercy. Self-denial is absolutely key for spiritual growth and integrity. Unchecked and untethered the self is selfish. Leviticus 24 describes the ways disobedience hurts others and requires restitution.
Notice how seriously self-denial is; the penalty to be cut-off. Without practices of confession, we are out of touch with reality. Do you agree?
Gracious God,
I need Your mercy and grace. Restore Your rhythm in the areas of my life and responsibility. Free me from guilt and shame.
Amen.
