Mercy Reveals

Tuesday, August 18

Leviticus 14:36-38 (NKJV)

“Then the priest shall command that they empty the house, before the priest goes into it to examine the plague, that all that is in the house may not be made unclean; and afterward the priest shall go in to examine the house. And he shall examine the plague; and indeed if the plague is on the walls of the house with ingrained streaks, greenish or reddish, which appear to be deep in the wall, then the priest shall go out of the house, to the door of the house, and shut up the house seven days.”

Devotion

The writing is on the wall in red and green streaks. The unclean enemy has entered in and has left his mark deep within our walls. A quarantine is required to “shut the house for seven days” (Leviticus 14:38) to see if the plague is still active and spreading. The house must be examined to see how far the infection has spread. If it has reached the foundational stones and structure, even these would have to be removed and replaced with clean material. This house will require a deep cleaning, scrubbing, and scraping to remediate the damage and make the home safe to dwell in again.

That is what sin does to our lives. Its entry can be undetected and appear harmless. But, ignored, its intent is to steal life, to kill, and to utterly destroy. But God has His own remediation plan. It is called repentance. It is a turning away from sin and a “re-turning” back to Him and His ways. Isaiah 55:6–7 explains it this way:

“Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts.

Let him return to the Lord, and *He will have mercy on him;

And to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”

It is the Lord’s mercy that sin is revealed. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Because of His great love, He shines a light on the darkness, to heal the crooked places and to bring our ways back into alignment with His perfect will. The psalmist David prayed this: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23–24, BAB).

If we examine ourselves, healing will return to our land.

“Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord” (Lamentations 3:40).

“If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

As priests of our own homes, we have the opportunity to make our abode a dwelling place where His glory resides—a place where His worship returns, where He is put first in all of our decisions, plans, and activities. Our lives will reflect a willing surrender to Him and a place where the fruit of the Holy Spirit’s labor is displayed.

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Let Your will be done in my life. I choose You and Your ways and refuse those things that are contrary to Your Word and character. Forgive me, Lord, for all acts of pride, rebellion, and stubbornness. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. In humility, I return to You and ask You to heal my land. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

Our humility is powerful when placed in the hands of the Lord. A broken and contrite heart, He will not despise (Psalm 51:17). In sincerity before Him, locate an area where you have resisted the Lord’s prompting to change. In humility, yield, and the Lord shall call you blessed. “Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who delights greatly in His commandments.” Psalm 112:1

Resources

• Sometimes the greatest step of faith is simply turning back to God. Watch this message “Great Mercy” and let your heart be drawn back to Him.
• It’s not too late to come back to God. No matter how far you’ve wandered, His mercy is still reaching for you. Rededicate your life today.