By The Book

Leviticus 12:7b-8
" 'These are the regulations for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl. ⁸ If she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.' "

cf. Luke 2:23-24 ²³(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"), ²⁴and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."


// THOUGHTS:

.. The Law of the Lord for the Jewish people were very strict, straight-forward, and very specific.
.. Each of these carry out something in order for them to strictly follow - it was a way of expressing their obedience to the Lord; by obeying these laws.
.. Mary definitely did the things she was told to do "as it is written" and to be faithful in "keeping with what is said"

.. How many of us are fully obeying God for what He commands us to do? We know that's God's commands are specific that are simply summed up into 2: Love God, Love People.
.. Are we like Mary who are faithful in keeping with what the Lord commanded to do "as it is written"?
.. We have the written Word of God. He has general commands for all believers and He has specific personal commands to each believer as well. How specific are we in obeying them?

// BELLE:

.. How specific AM I in obeying the personal commands of God for me? How faithful AM I in obeying what is already written and to keep what is already said?
.. Praise God, by His grace, I am doing my best to keep up with what He's commanded me to do. To be faithful with where I am at this point and to just keep going with His flow. This affirms that I am going on the right track with the personal guidance God is providing for me with the situations I am personally concerned about.
.. I will just be faithful. I will live BY THE BOOK. I will be faithful with what God has commanded me to do AS IT IS WRITTEN. I can keep what was said by keeping my mind focused on God's call in my life - the big and small "calls" He has for me.
.. Never persevere in obeying the Lord!


// LORD, yes, I am continually going to live by as it is written and as You have commanded me. Help me to be more faithful. Truly, as I wait for Your will to unfold in some areas that aren't yet revealed, I know You are making me more and more faithful. I will trust with what You've already said. Thank YOU for being so faithful to me. In Jesus' name, amen.