Get It Right

Daily Reading: Leviticus 8

Scripture Focus: And Moses said to the congregation, “This is the thing that the Lord has commanded to be done.” (Leviticus 8.5)

Devotional Thought: Last week I sat in a "surgery consultation room" with an anxious family as the neurosurgeon explained what she had just done for their loved one. They listened intently as they received the good news! I listened purposefully, too, as I knew that I would have to repeat it for others who would want to know the condition of their friend. I wasn't the surgeon. I was the messenger, and I wanted to get the message right.

That was the role that Moses played as he wrote out the guidelines for Aaron and the priests in the book of Leviticus. Moses didn't make it up. He was reporting what God had said to him. As I thought about it, I realized that the people didn't really need to know what Moses said. They needed to know what God commanded them to do. Moses could have been wrong! God never is.

You and I stand in that place when it comes to speaking for God. People don't really need to know what we have to say. We could get it wrong. But, God never gets it wrong! Our role as spokespersons for God is to repeat what he says about a matter. In order to do that, of course, we need to know what he says! We need to listen intently and purposefully. We need to know the Word of God!

So, by all means speak up for God! But make sure you get the message right!

Prayer: Father, I thank you for your Word. Your Word is truth. Help me to convey your message in truth. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 37 Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold, and there was none among his tribes who stumbled. 38 Egypt was glad when they departed, for dread of them had fallen upon it. 39 He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light by night. 40 They asked, and he brought quail, and gave them bread from heaven in abundance. 41 He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river. 42 For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham, his servant. 43 So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing. 44 And he gave them the lands of the nations, and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples' toil, 45 that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws. Praise the LORD! (Psalms 105:37-45)