Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Small Victories

Leviticus 16:20-34
It may seem less than noteworthy–“And Moses did as the Lord had commanded him” (Leviticus 16:34b)–but it was significant enough for the writer of Leviticus to comment on it. Yes, it pertains to one particular event; yes, in this case Moses was told to pass along instructions and little more; yes, this is not the only time Moses did as he is told. And yet…

With sin being what it is, and with the world offering the many temptations that it does, I think it is important to pause and to rejoice at times like these in the history of God’s people. Moses did as the Lord had commanded him which means that Moses had a choice to do otherwise, that he might have disregarded God’s instructions, but didn’t. Moses did as the Lord had commanded him which means that Moses was in communication with God, hearing and responding to God’s word, allowing God’s voice to guide his steps. Moses did as the Lord had commanded him which means that the will of God was as yet given expression among the people, that faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was still witnessed to.

As I think back over the thousands of faithful people I have known–the members of churches I have served or been a part of, my relatives and in-laws, my friends at school or work or in the neighborhood–I realize just how many of them have done as the Lord commanded them. They weren’t perfect people, none of them, but from time to time, and to the extent that they were able, they found ways to do what they were told. They might have done otherwise, but they heard what God was saying and responded to that call offering witness to the faith through their actions. Take a moment, if you will, and think about some of the people you have known who did what God commanded them to do and what that obedience looked like and what it accomplished. Those are small victories, but they are certainly worth celebrating.

Prayer: Lord, help us to live today as an opportunity to do as you command us. And may your hand rest upon us in the endeavor. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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