"But if they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers in their treachery that they committed against me, and also in walking contrary to me, so that I walked contrary to them and brought them into the land of their enemies—if then their uncircumcised heart is humbled and they make amends for their iniquity, then I will remember my covenant with Jacob, and I will remember my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham…
When they are in the land of their enemies, I will not spurn them, neither will I abhor them so as to destroy them utterly and break my covenant with them, for I am the Lord their God."
Leviticus 26:40-42, 44
The Book of Leviticus concludes with God’s summary of what will happen if the nation heeds His Word and all the blessings that will follow, and then of what will happen if the nation turns its back on His Word, and the sorrow and disasters that will come as a result. It’s a bleak picture, and nation after nation has followed the pattern, just as Israel eventually did.
But then comes this glorious promise. The Lord assures us that even after all the disaster, sorrow and destruction that come as His judgment on an unfaithful nation, He will still be listening for the prayers of His faithful people. Even after they’ve been exiled because of their sin, He listens for a prayer of repentance and faith, because He will never forget His promises and the covenant He has made.
The promises of God’s Word are for you. God made a covenant with you in Christ. He applied that covenant to you in your baptism. Even if you have turned your back on Him and become an exile He is listening for your prayer. He has not forgotten His promises or the covenant He made with you.
Trust Him, even now. His forgiveness is greater than your sin. (It’s even greater than mine!)
Lord, You have made these promises, I know that You stand by Your covenant, even though I have sinned. Lord God, I’m sorry for all the ways I have offended You. You would be right to reject me. But please, forgive and accept me again, as You have promised. Wash me in the blood of Jesus and make me clean. Be the Lord of my life once again and do with me as You have promised. Amen.
Pastor Dan Giles