The last day of days "30" and the last day in Leviticus! Nice work everyone! I know Leviticus was dense and seemed to repeat the same thing over and over, but I'm sure somewhere throughout this time of studying it you found something that moved you. I'd love to hear about what parts of the scripture were meaningful to you. Then let us give a moment of praise to God for our time with Leviticus and ask for God's presence to reveal something to us in Numbers as we begin tomorrow!
Scripture to Read
Audio Bible
Questions to Consider
What does this teach me about God?
What does this teach me about humanity?
Would Jesus say amen to this?
Well, after a day that made me smile yesterday, this one was tricky for me. However, I do like the way our Psalm lined up with our reading for the day. Leviticus was tricky because I don't like the almost extreme levels of rage that God reaches upon thinking about people worshipping false gods. God almost seems to get joy out of making peoples lives miserable for giving into the temptations around them. I certainly don't think that Jesus would say amen to this.
But, not all is lost in today's reading...I think that the Psalm helps redeem this and bring back the humility of the story. I got chills reading the verses that talked about "all our running around leads to nothing. We are like shadows, our entire lifetime a breath to you." These words help to give image to just how BIG God really is. Further, I find that these words help me slow down and appreciate how SMALL the things I worry about are in the big picture.
Thank you, God, for being bigger than my biggest problems.
Prayer:
Look upon us, O Lord, and let all the darkness of our souls vanish before the beams of thy brightness.
Fill us with holy love, and open to us the treasures of thy wisdom. All our desire is known unto thee, therefore perfect what thou hast begun, and what thy Spirit has awakened us to ask in prayer.
We seek thy face, turn thy face unto us and show us thy glory. Then shall our longing be satisfied, and our peace shall be perfect.
Amen.
(St.) Augustine of Hippo, 400 A.D.