God's Blessings and Discipline
God’s Disciple and His Blessings
Leviticus 26-27
“If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands….I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. I am the Lord your God.”
Adversity is never pleasant. When life becomes challenging, we often question God’s love and His care for us. However, in Scripture, we find two reasons God brings adversity into our lives. First, He brings trials into our lives to strengthen our faith. In James 1:2-4 we read, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Second, In Hebrews 12:6, God disciplines those He loves. He brings adversity to correct and realign our lives when we no longer follow Him.
As we come to the close of Leviticus, we find the promises of God’s blessing and the severe warning of God’s discipline. God gives the people two options. First, He promises His blessing if the people obey His commands. God has given us His Word because His ways and laws are perfect. To accept the salvation of Christ is to recognize that His ways are perfect and that God’s word is an expression of His character. We express our love to God in our obedience to Him. To love Christ is to obey His commands (see John 14:15, 21, 23). Through obeying His word and surrendering to His purpose for our lives, we discover the joy of His plan for us, a perfect plan, and our good (Jer. 19:11).
When we disobey God and disregard His word, we abandon God's perfect plan. As a result, He brings His discipline. Throughout these final two chapters of Leviticus, God warns the people of the consequences that will come when they reject Him. Instead of enjoying the blessings of God, they will experience hardship. When we disobey God, we step outside His protective care. As a result, we are unprotected from the trials of life. In the end, instead of experiencing His peace, there is only fear and adversity. It is not surprising that sociologists refer to our present culture as a culture of fear. Today, people live in fear. They fear the future, they fear the economy, and they fear adversity. Confidence and security come when we live in the realm of God’s plan, for He promises to protect us. Therefore, we do not need to fear the circumstances we face or the uncertainty of the future. However, when we abandon God, we no longer have a basis for security.
God warns the people of Israel of the consequences of their rebellion and sin: The increase of disease, drought, threats, hostilities, famine, and fear. However, even in their rebellion, He promises to forgive and restore them if they confess their sins. He assures them that even when they rebel and suffer sins’ consequences, He will not reject or abhor them (26:44). Instead, He will forgive them and remain faithful to the covenant He has made with them.
The same is true for us today. If we walk in obedience, we experience not only His blessing but also His protective care. When we reject Him, we face uncertainty, fear, and trials. While not all adversity is a result of sin, adversity does challenge us to examine our relationship with God and evaluate if we are living in obedience to Him. Sometimes, adversity comes because of His desire to transform us and strengthen our faith. Sometimes, it may be due to our failure to obey Him. When this occurs, we must reevaluate our lives, seek His forgiveness, and realign our lives to follow Him. If you desire to experience God’s best for your life, start by obeying Him.
Leviticus 26-27
“If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands….I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. I am the Lord your God.”
Adversity is never pleasant. When life becomes challenging, we often question God’s love and His care for us. However, in Scripture, we find two reasons God brings adversity into our lives. First, He brings trials into our lives to strengthen our faith. In James 1:2-4 we read, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Second, In Hebrews 12:6, God disciplines those He loves. He brings adversity to correct and realign our lives when we no longer follow Him.
As we come to the close of Leviticus, we find the promises of God’s blessing and the severe warning of God’s discipline. God gives the people two options. First, He promises His blessing if the people obey His commands. God has given us His Word because His ways and laws are perfect. To accept the salvation of Christ is to recognize that His ways are perfect and that God’s word is an expression of His character. We express our love to God in our obedience to Him. To love Christ is to obey His commands (see John 14:15, 21, 23). Through obeying His word and surrendering to His purpose for our lives, we discover the joy of His plan for us, a perfect plan, and our good (Jer. 19:11).
When we disobey God and disregard His word, we abandon God's perfect plan. As a result, He brings His discipline. Throughout these final two chapters of Leviticus, God warns the people of the consequences that will come when they reject Him. Instead of enjoying the blessings of God, they will experience hardship. When we disobey God, we step outside His protective care. As a result, we are unprotected from the trials of life. In the end, instead of experiencing His peace, there is only fear and adversity. It is not surprising that sociologists refer to our present culture as a culture of fear. Today, people live in fear. They fear the future, they fear the economy, and they fear adversity. Confidence and security come when we live in the realm of God’s plan, for He promises to protect us. Therefore, we do not need to fear the circumstances we face or the uncertainty of the future. However, when we abandon God, we no longer have a basis for security.
God warns the people of Israel of the consequences of their rebellion and sin: The increase of disease, drought, threats, hostilities, famine, and fear. However, even in their rebellion, He promises to forgive and restore them if they confess their sins. He assures them that even when they rebel and suffer sins’ consequences, He will not reject or abhor them (26:44). Instead, He will forgive them and remain faithful to the covenant He has made with them.
The same is true for us today. If we walk in obedience, we experience not only His blessing but also His protective care. When we reject Him, we face uncertainty, fear, and trials. While not all adversity is a result of sin, adversity does challenge us to examine our relationship with God and evaluate if we are living in obedience to Him. Sometimes, adversity comes because of His desire to transform us and strengthen our faith. Sometimes, it may be due to our failure to obey Him. When this occurs, we must reevaluate our lives, seek His forgiveness, and realign our lives to follow Him. If you desire to experience God’s best for your life, start by obeying Him.
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