Try to Follow

Despite the Failures
Leviticus 5:1-6:30

"The Lord said, 'A person might sin against the Lord by doing one of these sins: He might lie about what happened to something he was taking care of for someone else, or he might lie about a promise he made. He might steal something or cheat someone. He might find something that had been lost and then lie about it. He might make a promise before the Lord about something and not mean it, or he might do some other sin. If he does any of these things, he is guilty of sin.'" (Leviticus 6:1-4)

Even those who are trying so hard to follow the Lord slip and fall sometimes. It's important to recognize and repent for our sins, because in this we can recognize the beauty of a merciful gracious forgiving God who and His perfection which so starkly contrasts against our own sinful tendencies. What stood out to me in this verse this morning was how completely undated it is. No one would read this and think, oh, this is definitely a 'blast from the past'. Not at all. It's scarily true even today- the same kinds of sins and difficulties and temptations that people face right now. And how amazing it is to think that God's love- Jesus' sacrifice- is big enough to cover all of our sins... sins from back at the time of Jesus' death and sins that we commit today. Lord, I try to follow You faithfully, but when I sometimes slip and fall I thank You for Your grace and love and forgiveness which covers my sins... and leads me to follow You even more.

Asking Help from God
Psalm 24:1-6

"Who may go up on the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy Temple? Only those with clean hands and pure hearts, who have no worshiped idols, who have not made promises in the name of a false God. They will receive a blessing from the Lord; the God who saves them will declare them right. They try to follow God; they look to the God of Jacob for help." (Psalm 24:3-6)

This verse really touched me this morning, especially "They try to follow God; they look to the God of Jacob for help." That's about right to me... I try to follow... try as hard as I can. And sometimes I don't even realize I've said something or done something to portray a completely different message to someone that I never meant to convey. But I praise God who is good and merciful and just, who can see that I am trying so hard. And my Lord cleanses my hands and purifies my heart, and I can once again walk with Him... rejoicing in my God who saves me and declares me right.

And Lord, a special prayer... I ask for help. I pray for Your comfort and Your peace and Your guidance... as my heart hurts a little today. I need You.

Obeying Jesus' Call
Matthew 28:1-20

"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All power in heaven and earth is given to me. So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you, and I will be with you always, even until the end of this age.'" (Matthew 28:18-20)

As a follower, I am not just called to follow... but to make followers of all people. And how good it is to follow the Lord. Jesus is my comfort and strength... the most important part of my life. And I only need to reflect on this to remember how much people need to come to know Christ, to accept Him into their hearts and come to know them. Lord, I give this day to You. As I try to follow, show me the moments You are creating for me to make followers as well.