Scripture: Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell, for I, the Lord, dwell among the Israelites.’ ” Numbers 35:34 NIV
Observation: God is once again speaking of the importance of remaining free of old influences.
Application: Yesterday my devotional spoke of the necessity of completely driving out the inhabitants of Canaan upon taking the land to make sure that the Israelites would not stray. I felt in yesterday’s devotional that that is the same attitude that God wants from us as Christians. Today, two chapters later, I read that the Lord says for the Israelites to not defile the land where he dwells with them. Once again I believe he wants us Christians to realize that our old self and our new self cannot dwell together. I know that when the Lord repeats something it is usually because he’s serious about the subject. Christians must take this seriously because God takes it seriously, “for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’ ” 1 Peter 1:16 NIV
Prayer: Father, help me to be holy and to shun my old ways. Amen
Doug