Right With God and With You

Daily Reading: Leviticus 6

Scripture Focus: If he has sinned and has realized his guilt and will restore what he took by robbery... He shall restore it in full and shall add a fifth to it, and give it to him to whom it belongs on the day he realizes his guilt. (Leviticus 6.4-5)

Devotional Thought: My Uncle Cedric was very generous to me. He 'graced' me with many things - most significantly his love. As I neared the end of college, I needed help to pay off a particular bill. I turned to Uncle Cedric for a loan of $134 (if my memory serves me correctly), not much by today's standards, but I needed it to finish school. It was important to me and it was a huge sum to a college kid.

After I graduated, Uncle Cedric continued to grace me with his love and gifts. I forgot the loan. For a time... But, in spite of all he had given me in the past and continued to give me, I knew that it wasn't right for me to ignore it. I did not want to presume upon his generosity, and I wouldn't have peace as long as I owed him that $134. So, I contacted him to pay it back.

In the reception of God's grace, it is tempting to neglect our obligations to others. But God doesn't want us to live that way. His mercy and forgiveness do not nullify what I owe someone else! Just because I'm right with God doesn't mean I'm right with you! So, packed into the chapter about atonement for sin, God makes it clear that I must right the wrongs of my past. We call it restitution. I've had to do it. It is a freeing experience.

Back to Uncle Cedric. When I contacted him, he laughed about it and said he had forgotten it and I could too. But, how grateful I am that I cleared that account! Do you have any accounts that need cleared?

Prayer: Father, thank you that my account with you is clear. I have received forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ! But, Lord, help me to take care of any debt that I may owe others. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 16 When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread, 17 he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. 18 His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron; 19 until what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him. 20 The king sent and released him; the ruler of the peoples set him free; 21 he made him lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions, 22 to bind his princes at his pleasure and to teach his elders wisdom. (Psalms 105:16-22)