Today is quiet. In another corner of the house, the gentle tones of someone playing piano reverberate in the floorboards of my second-story room. I am sick in bed and enjoying my rest. The saying goes, if you don’t take rest, your body will make you rest; I have now fully succumbed to its demands.
Unlike the untimely rest forced upon me, today’s reading includes a call for consistent, rhythmic cycles of rest. The land, which God gives, is to remain fallow in certain years. The people, who God has freed, are called to a repetitive restoration process which, in time, regains what has been lost from God’s original, lavish provision. The land and the people are God’s, and the Israelites are called to demonstrate their remembrance of this through rest and restoration.
Inherent in the choice to rest is an expression of trust. When we rest we trust that even as we cease from our labors, our provision is still assured. When I trust in what I possess—my skill sets, my savings account, my investments, my work ethic, my knowledge, my wit, my attractiveness—it is difficult to justify rest. After all, do I possess enough to acquire what I perceive I need? When I trust in the God who possesses all, I acknowledge that it is actually from Him that I receive all blessings. This kind of rest is not just an activity (or lack thereof) but a state of being which reflects our trust in an abundantly hospitable Father. We are God’s guests in a world not of our making, but He has invited us to enjoy His good possessions.
These laws beckoned the Israelites to be molded into people of trust. To obey these laws, they had to acknowledge God provides the blessings which make our efforts fruitful.
In the genesis of this infant nation, the blessings given for keeping the covenant culminate with the best of the best: “I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people” (Leviticus 26:12). When we don’t receive the kinds of provision we desire, God’s dedication and commitment to us (and our flourishing) remain our greatest blessing. By devoting ourselves to Him, we can more fully receive God’s lavish gift of His own wholehearted and attentive devotion.
The Israelites were far from the promised land. The wander in the wilderness would be long and full of uncertainty, but one promise was never far from them, and is never far from us–God is with us. While we may all be waiting longingly on some external blessings, this blessing remains nearer than our very breath.
We can rest in this.
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54 thoughts on "Covenant Blessings"
Hallelujah God we give you glory!
How awesome to read you.
It brings me joy.
Many blessings.
My dear Susan, wish I could hug you
God was the start of eminent domain. This just shows that He is in charge of everything.
Rest
Praying for you dear Susan and your family ❤️. I will keep your family in prayers. “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).
Susan, I am so so very sorry for your loss. My heart truly hurts for you and Andys family and the wider and those that knew and loved him..
I have not the words.. BUT GOD… He has the words silently felt and heard within in that still small voice. He comforts in those moments when noone or anything else can .. and He will give, I pray, His peace that surpasses ALL understanding to your heart and mind.
Praying, dear Susan, that God hold you and yours so close in these days, weeks and months ahead..
Sending heartfelt love, hugs and prayers.
Prayers for comfort Susan, and also for Andy’s family.
❤️
Learning to wait or in this case rest is something I desperately struggle with. Things in my life right now like being a single 30 year old have really consumed my thoughts like they have never before. I fear I won’t find a husband or have children of my own and it truly eats at me. Learning to trust Gods timing is so different for everybody. I envy my friends and family who haven’t had to go through this struggle but I know everybody’s struggles are different. Yet I can’t seem to find comfort that if it’s on my heart God can make it happen. Because he doesn’t have too if he doesn’t want too. This longing has made its way into current relationships and made me realize my insecurity is real. Praying this season will pass. Praying for all those who are also struggling.
Learning to wait or in this case rest is something i
Praying for your loss Susan and that you guys can all feel the love surrounding you during this time.
Rory! I’m so proud of you. Thank you for these words. It’s so encouraging to know that God indeed walks among us.
This was probably my favorite devotional for Leviticus so far. I love the idea of resting in God’s promises and trusting that he will provide. I’m pretty good at resting. As a mom of two small children, I don’t always get the opportunity; but when I do, I’m good at it. I pray I would rest from other things as well. I pray that as I rest, I would trust that God will provide all that I need.
Oh, SUSAN… I am so sorry for your loss. Will be praying for you and for Andy’s wife and kids.
As a “graduate” of Financial Peace University, I was always a bit squeamish (right word?) about the Jubilee. But as ARINA mentioned, it helps us to remember that everything is His, and He will provide. Rest in His provision always, sweet sisters!
Susan, I am so sorry for your loss and will pray for you and your dear family today.
Dear Susan, my deepest sympathies to you and your son’s family. May Lord give you peace and strength for the days coming and dear memories help to ease pain of such a loss. Prayers!
Oh Susan, I am soooooo sorry to hear of your dear son’s passing. Praying for comfort for you, his wife, his children…hugs to you ❤️
I loved this about today’s devotional: Inherent in the choice to rest is an expression of trust. When we rest we trust that even as we cease from our labors, our provision is still assured. When I trust in what I possess—my skill sets, my savings account, my investments, my work ethic, my knowledge, my wit, my attractiveness—it is difficult to justify rest. After all, do I possess enough to acquire what I perceive I need? When I trust in the God who possesses all, I acknowledge that it is actually from Him that I receive all blessings. This kind of rest is not just an activity (or lack thereof) but a state of being which reflects our trust in an abundantly hospitable Father.
I will never forget this!
Susan, I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for you during this difficult time. Know that God has his arms wrapped around you. He knows your pain; He never leaves.
SUSAN – I will pray for you. It is coming upon a year since my son died. It is heartbreaking to hear of your loss. God is the only way I’ve made it through. I will pray He wraps His love around you. That He gives you peace and comfort. I pray for your sons children and his wife for that comfort as well. I’m so so sorry.
Such a good devotion. We are God’s guests in a world not of our making, but He has invited us to enjoy His good possessions. Do I march through life blindly taking advantage of these gifts God has bestowed upon me? Do I remember that all I have is a gift from God?
Thank you for the wonderful extra insights❤️. Praying for all and sending hugs.
I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your son Andy. I lost my husband in 2006 while he was on duty with LASD. He was chasing a speeder and someone hit his bike. It was the worst day of my life. I will keep you, Andy, his wife & children in my prayers. My heart is aching for you.
Aurora is soooo right when she says, “…God is with us…this blessing remains nearer than our very breath”. How many times have I wonder where God was, to find Him in something I come across within an hour or two or a few days later? God, Christ and the Holy Spirit will ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS be with us IF we allow them to be!!! It’s up to us NOT THEM.
Be blesses and know the Triune is with you always, sisters.
Praying for you and your whole family, Susan. May you be overwhelmed by the kindness and presence of the Lord today and in the days ahead.
Praying for you and your family, Susan ♥️
Susan, my heart breaks for yours. I have lost a son as well. It’s such a difficult, painful journey. Praying now for you all!!
It is far better to choose to rest than have it forced upon you. It is far better to obey the Lord than to miss the blessings He provides through His commands. It’s needful to choose to view resting as the benefit it is rather than merely time to fill with more self serving activities. Our Lord tells us to be still. It’s in the stillness that we hear His voice most clearly. Be still. Be still. Know that He is God. Be still.
Susan – so, so sorry for your loss. Praying for you.
I commented about a week ago about my husband and I touring with our kids and my son having a stomach bug, and being uncertain about being able to travel this week for shows. Well, the stomach bug made its way through our entire family of 6 and we had to cancel a tour of 4 shows. Playing shows is one of our main sources of income. This reading today is so timely and such an encouragement. The Lord is with us. Always. We can rest in that. And I can trust in His provision, even when I feel like the means of provision are being taken from me.
So sorry for your loss Susan. Praying for you and your son’s family. May God give you all the strength and heavenly peace to get through this.
Praying for you Susan and your family. May you take comfort in knowing that Andy is with God and the Saints and you will meet again.
Clean heart. Right spirit. This is where I landed in prayer this morning. I prayed these words of David from Psalm 51:10 as I wrestled with anxiety creeping in. The cleansing Word of God is powerful, and mysterious. And true. “Create in me a clean heart, and renew a steadfast spirit within me”. As my heart came to rest, contentment returned. As I prayed over my family, my friends, my work, I was keenly aware of God’s presence. “God is near us whenever we pray to Him” (Deuteronomy 4:7). As I continued in my study of Levicitus, chapters 25 and 26 calls for rest and trust, redemption and provision. I see release from bondage. I see Jesus. I see the promise of God to give peace to His people. He has. He does. He will. As I “look intently into the perfect law that gives freedom” (James 1:25a), I pray for wisdom to take what I hear from God and live it out in my actions and in my thought life. As the verse continues to teach, “not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it- they will be blessed in what they do.” And what is it that we should do? Ask for wisdom. Believe the Lord will provide. Persevere under trials. Listen much. Speak less. Be slow to anger. Humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls (from James 1:2-19). Yes Lord, help my unbelief, help me persevere, quiet my voice so I can hear Yours. Let the word You planted in me grow. Show me when to rest. Show me what to do. Fill me with faith that flows out of my life and pours grace and love onto others. I am following You Jesus. Help me point others to the Way, the Truth, and the Life that You came to give. Amen.
Year of the Jubilee makes me think of HOPE. God gave the nation something to look forward to, to be hopeful for – redemption and restoration – a beautiful cycle that, of course, points to the ultimate REDEEMER and RESTORER!
Susan – my heart breaks for you and your family. Those who have never walked in those painful steps can only come alongside and offer our sincerest prayers of condolence and comfort.
@Tina, the Doxology! That is how our homeschool co op starts our once-a-week Community Day together. I love hearing all the voices, from young to old, sing out our gratitude and praise before we embark on our day together!
Always a joy to “hear” other believers sing it out, too! Warmed my heart this morning, so thank you!
@Susan– God’s covering and comfort to your family <3 glad you spoke up. We are here to pray with you. May God comfort your soul and give you rest in Him. <3
@Lehua– it's so interesting your post from yesterday and the timing of today's devotional. God is good and evident in your life! May you continue to find rest in Him alone! :) hugs!
Today's Scriptures really touched me. Sabbath is something so close to my heart. Since I lived in NY, I have made Sabbath a part of my weekly routine. God has blessed it abundantly. What a gift it is to rest a day and know God is providing for that day. Here we see Israel resting for a whole year! and God provides 3 years of provision in one year, the sixth year. That is so cool.
What spoke to me was Deuteronomy 4:8-9 NKJV
"For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day?"
God is so kind!
Susan I am praying for you now, and your family.
Susan, I’m praying for you and Andy’s wife. Praying for his children too.
SUSAN – praying for comfort and strength for you and Andy’s wife and children, for today and in the painful weeks and months ahead. Please know that you are loved and prayed for by your sisters around the world. ❤️
I loved today’s devotion to look at rest as an exercise in trust. I have not been making enough time for rest. I’m thankful for a hospitable Father who provides for my every need <3
A lot to ponder in these verses – blessings, trust and leaning on God. How honest can I be with my own self as to how I measure up in these areas of faith? Honesty is many/most times painful, ripping off the rose-colored glasses I use to gloss over things in my life that are at cross purposes with God and His will for me. Draw closer to Him and pull farther away from everything else.
Praying for each request as I read through previous comments – SHARON JERSEY GIRL, DOROTHY, LEHUA and many others.
Thank you TINA – your kind words for all of us sisters feel like a hug ❤️
I rarely comment, but I desperately need prayer. Today is my youngest son’s celebration of life service. He died in a motorcycle accident saturday. He was 43 and leaves a wife and four kids. They are 20,8,6 and 4. My Andy was on a path of destruction when he was young and God mercifully intervened in his life….BUT GOD… I am broken to the core, BUT, I have full confidence that he is with his Father who he served and loved.
Walk with me Lord❤️
In the redemption of lands and people, God’s heart is shown. You can see it in His heart for the following things for His people:
-Freedom
-Security
-Support
-Gentleness
-Fairness
-Plenty
-Peace
-Fruitfulness
-God’s residence with them
These are the blessings that would occur if the people were obedient to keep His Sabbaths and Jubilee. They, unfortunately, did not as we so often don’t.
Rest requires that we trust that God will continue to provide for our needs when we cannot.
The truth is that without God’s sustaining power we would not be able to provide for our own needs. He gives us our very life. He sustains our bodies so that it continues to work without our thinking about it. He gives us the talents and abilities for us to work so that we can earn the money we need to survive. It all comes from Him.
Rest is one way that we can recognize the truth that we cannot do everything on our own, that we rely on God for everything we need to survive. He truly is our Freedom, Security, Support, and Peace. He is gentle and fair toward us. He provided us with plenty and fruitfulness. He resides with us and within us. Yes, praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
As a side note:
Part of Leviticus 25:10 (“Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof”) is the inscription on Pennsylvania’s State Assembly bell (aka the Liberty Bell).
It was ordered to be cast in 1751 (before America’s independence from England), and first cracked on its first test ring. Pass & Stow melted it down and recast the bell in 1753. It rang for many years in Pennsylvania’s State Assembly building (now known as Independence Hall). There is no proof that it was rung during the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Another crack developed in the 1840s. The large crack we now see is part of the “drill stop” repair done on the bell. The repair did not work because another small crack developed and silenced the bell.
It’s interesting to me that a country that has a people who think so much about freedom has a symbol of freedom that is silenced because of a crack, an imperfection, in it.
May we always remember that our true freedom is found in Jesus Christ, not being free from oppression or injustice. Only Jesus will bring complete rest and complete justice and complete freedom when He returns. We can be working on that restoration now, but only in His power and with our eyes fixed firmly on Him.
I will walk among you and be your God….this was His design from the beginning, when He walked in the Garden with Adam and Eve. And while we know from Revelation that when this world ends He will once again walk among us, how beautiful that He also desires that for us right here, right now. That under the law He provided a way to that redemption, and that by Jesus’ sacrifice and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit He walks among us. Right now. He makes us righteous so that He can walk among us. What an unfathomable love ❤️
God’s preoccupation with us—I love this ❤️
Lord God thank You for giving me rest. Rest for my body, for my mind. Because You are on the throne. In Jesus name, Amen
Thank you Lord, for providing for us and longing to draw close to us. Amen ❤️
LEHUA K. praying you recover quickly!
Thank you so much for your comment and your prayer today – that is where I’m at as well. Not physically sick, but inundated with things to do, neglecting my own personal needs, and yet demanding myself to do more more more in order to make my business successful. Instead, I need to trust that God, who has called me to this work, will provide all I need.
I’m imagining myself struggling to pick up a boulder, and while it is squarely sitting on the ground, I think I’m carrying the load and simultaneously crying out “it’s too heavy! I can’t do this!” This morning, God is telling me “of course you can’t, my child, but *I* can!”
Why should we rejoice in rules (limits)?
“These laws beckoned the Israelites to be molded into people of trust. To obey these laws, they had to acknowledge God provides the blessings which make our efforts fruitful.”
The perfect laws of the Lord (love God; love your neighbor) are His kindness to us dor our flourishing.
I don’t think there is a record of Israel ever observing the year of Jubilee. We know from the Babylonian exile they did not observe the Sabbath year.
Thank You, Jesus for being our Jubilee.
God says: the land is Mine, the people are Mine. Living out this truth gives such peace. The Sabbath year and the year of Jubilee are such wonderful laws. Showcasing God’s love and care for the people and the land. But also asking the question: do you really believe that he land and the people are Mine? These laws could have easily become a source of worry. How will we ever have enough to eat when the land rests? What if the land I just bought gets redeemed? But through it all God assures that He will provide. We can give it all over to Him because it is already His in the first place.
Lev. 26:10 b spoke to me: „… clear out the old to make room for the new.“ I wasn‘t aware that this is not just a Marie Kondo idea but also a principle of God. Not sowing for a whole year meant the Israelites had to live on their stock not only to strengthen their trust but also „to make room for the new“. When do we allow ourselves to get rid of the old – in every respect – and make room for what God will give us?
Wow.. I thought yesterday’s reading spoke to me, but this one hits even closer to home. Like Aurora, I am home sick, but I have not enjoyed my rest today. The Holy Spirit was prompting me and asking me why I wasn’t resting well today, and I knew it was because I felt somewhat guilty that things are falling by the wayside since I’m resting. However, this passage convicted me:
“Inherent in the choice to rest is an expression of trust. When we rest we trust that even as we cease from our labors, our provision is still assured. When I trust in what I possess—my skill sets, my savings account, my investments, my work ethic, my knowledge, my wit, my attractiveness—it is difficult to justify rest. After all, do I possess enough to acquire what I perceive I need? When I trust in the God who possesses all, I acknowledge that it is actually from Him that I receive all blessings. This kind of rest is not just an activity (or lack thereof) but a state of being which reflects our trust in an abundantly hospitable Father. We are God’s guests in a world not of our making, but He has invited us to enjoy His good possessions.”
Father, please forgive me of trusting in my own self-sufficiency and not enjoying rest because of it. I understand that this is a time for me to learn how to fully rest in Your presence and to enjoy it, trusting that as life goes on, things may pile up and tasks left unfinished, but I don’t need to be anxious about them. I long to trust fully in You, my Rock and Refuge, because without You I am nothing. I have made my to-do lists and tasks an idol, and while I thought they were for good, I have placed them above being with You and resting. Everything has its time. Thank You for being so patient with me as I am prone to wander and run ahead in our walk together. May I use this time to rest and grow in trusting You. Thank You in advance for Your healing. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Where was my head, beautiful sisters here at SRT?
Forgot to send love, blessings, hugs and prayers across the pond..❤
Finger too eager to press post comment!
Praising God from whom ALL blessings flow..
Praising Him as we, here below, should.
Praising Him, above the heavenly hosts,
ABSOLUTELY…
Praising Father, Son and Holy Ghost..
Thank you God for the blessings each day. Each hour. Each minute. Each moment.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost..
BUT GOD..❤