February 26

Leviticus 19:1-20:21, Mark 8:11-38, Psalm 42:1-11, Proverbs 10:17

Pray: Just as others brought the blind man to Jesus that we’ll read about today, start off your prayer time by praying for those you know who are searching as if they’re in the dark, those who are hurting and need healing, and those who are vulnerable and outcast in some way. Now, begin to ask God if there are any ways that you are blind, or possibly any ways in which you can see but not too clearly. Make yourself available to God. Meet with Him outside the village in a quiet place and ask Him to fully restore the way you need to see your life and the world.

Read: In Leviticus, there is an often repeated phrase “I am the Lord your God.” As you read, notice the frequency and placement of that statement. Then, let that declaration provide the lens for you to see what God has for you today in the Mark passage, the Psalm, and the Proverb for the day. 

Edify: We begin with a declaration that we are to be holy as God is holy. We think surely this was just an Old Testament thing because Jesus is gracious. Jesus is gracious, but He didn’t take anything away from the law. In fact He says in Matthew 5:48 that we are to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. The good news is that Jesus offers forgiveness and salvation while we were still dead in our sins. It’s clear that our attitude in order to grow in holiness is revealed in each of today’s readings. In Leviticus, we must submit and acknowledge that He is God and we are not. This makes us want to live in line with His law and calling on our life. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves of His Lordship when we feel tempted, weak, or even rebellious at heart. In Mark, we are to specifically acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus and His identity as our Messiah who has come to save us. Peter begins by getting it right and acknowledging Jesus’ identity as Messiah at Caesarea Philippi. We must turn from our selfish ways and take up our cross and follow Jesus. He is to be number 1 in our lives. In Psalm, we grow in holiness despite our circumstances when we thirst for the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives like a deer thirsts for water. Even in the hard times we see David calling out to God as his Savior (like Peter) multiple times and calls Him his rock. Finally, in Proverbs we see that it is wise to humbly open ourselves up to God’s discipline and correction in our lives in order to grow in holiness.

Practice: Consider fasting for a meal or from a frequent food or drink for a day if your health allows. Prayerfully create a “thirst” and a “hunger” for God through fasting and with each hunger pain, make a declaration that the Lord is your God and Jesus is your Savior and Messiah. Fasting and prayer have a way of opening your eyes and allowing God to bring clarity and a healing of your sight in life. Give it a chance!