SCRIPTURE: Psalm 3, Psalm 4 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Psalm 3 was written during a time of family and national crisis [see 2 Samuel 15-19]. He seems to be talking himself through this crisis, with the Lord. He names his struggles before the Lord, then affirms his confidence in Him. He is totally honest, even angry [see Psalm 3:7], which is amazing since he…
Author: Norm
the wise way to live
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 1, Psalm 2 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The way of the Lord – what Jesus teaches, what Jesus practices – is not just a religion, it is a way of life. The best way of life. It is wisdom, and it can stand up to the tests and challenges of life. Psalm 1 describes the wisdom of living the…
devotion
SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 27 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: To be fully devoted to the Lord. This chapter describes people who want to show their love for the Lord by dedicating something (land, children, livestock, possessions) to the Lord and His service. Such acts of devotion are not to be taken lightly, and once made, they cannot be taken back. They…
choosing the right path
SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 26 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The path that we choose will determine the destination that we reach. Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and…
make my life a jubilee
SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 25 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The Sabbath year and the Year of Jubilee both symbolically point to the Lord’s ultimate plan to restore liberation and celebration, once and for all. Everything is moving towards liberation and celebration. No matter what happens in this life, even when things go wrong and we lose our way or our place,…
respect
SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 24 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: After reminding Aaron to keep the symbols of Lord’s presence (the candle) and provision (the bread), the people discover the importance of RESPECT. The Lord uses this occasion where someone intentionally, brazenly curses Him before all the people, to teach them about respect. Not only for Him, for but for all people,…
the kingdom of God is a party!
SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 23 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: 1. In this chapter the Lord mentions the many festivals the people were to commemorate. Weekly, monthly, and yearly the people were to enjoy rest, to be reminded of God’s mercy, and to celebrate His goodness. The Sabbath Day, Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Feast of Weeks, Feast of…
serious, sincere worship
SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 22 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: 1. Doing the right thing is not enough, doing it for the right reason matters too. The Lord challenges the people to do the right thing – that is, offer the sacrifices in a proper, honourable way – and to do it for the right reason – that is, to honour the…
set apart to serve
SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 21 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The Lord assigns a special role to the priests. They represent God among the people. In this role, they must be seen as “set apart”, different, holy. As God is perfect and holy, they must represent as much as possible that perfection and holiness. This was not because they were better than…
I do not condemn you
SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 20 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: As I read this chapter, I think about the time when Jesus was asked about whether the adulterous woman should be stoned [John 8:2-11]. He said to them, ‘If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’ [John 8:7] According to this chapter, this…