February 19 – Reading 50

FEBRUARY 19 – Reading 50

by John Christian Pra | February 19

“THE CHOICE IS YOURS”
(Leviticus 26:1 – 27:34)

“If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them, then I will… But if you will
not listen to me and will not do all these commandments… then I will…” – Leviticus 26:3-4, 14-15

It’s often been said that clarity is kindness. Basically, the clearer we are with our expectations, the more love
we’re showing a person. God, in His loving-kindness, was as clear as could be when he shared the Law to His
people, Israel. The Law was clear and there was a straightforward expectation that allowed them to see the
blessing that would follow obedience alongside picturing the turmoil that would follow disobedience.

The history of God’s people was never straightforward. Times of blessing followed times of deep brokenness,
and the cycle went on and on. However, God made it clear that the choice was theirs. By choosing to either
follow God or follow idols, they were making a decision that directly impacted each of them. Blessing or
cursing. You choose.

In the end, God saw over and over that sinful humanity will consistently choose the path that leads to
destruction. As the proverb states: “There is a way that seems right to a man; but its end is the way to death”
(Proverbs 14:12). Out of his love, instead of watching us constantly go astray, our Heavenly Father intervened
by coming to earth to offer a new way towards life. A way that doesn’t rely on our ability, but rather relies on
Jesus and the finished work that took place on the Cross.

Simple Truth: For us today, we are still left with a choice that will lead to blessing or cursing. However, that
choice is no longer dependent on our performance. Now that choice is dependent on whether or not we will
believe in Christ Jesus and receive His glorious life that alone can save us and bring us into the blessed life.

The choice is yours.

Reflections:

• What would life be like for you if you were being blessed dependent on your performance?
• How does receiving Jesus lead to blessing in our lives? What has that looked like in your life?

Application:

• God is kind and reveals what He desires from His people.
• We have a choice to make whether we live in blessing or cursing.
• If we receive Jesus, our lives are no longer dependent on our performance, but rather on the finished
  work of Jesus on the Cross.
• Believing and receiving Jesus leads to the blessed life.

Closing Prayer:
Father, I come to you today with thanksgiving in my heart. Thank you for loving me so deeply that you gave
your Son, Jesus, to save me. Apart from you, I can do no good thing, and I recognize that in my own strength, I
have often gone astray. But today, Jesus, I turn to you and believe that through you I can receive the fullness
of life and blessing that comes from simply knowing you. Help me today, Jesus, to constantly choose you
above all else. In your beautiful name I pray, amen.