May 3rd Devotional Thought
Do you know the story of Shechem? Popular place in the Pentatuch! In Genesis 34, Schechem, the son of ruler of the area, violated Jacob’s daughter Dinah. In response, Jacob tried to make things right by having the people of the land convert and asked that all the men be circumcised. They were. But three days later, “while all of them were still in pain, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, took their swords and attacked the unsuspecting city, killing every male. They put Hamor and his son Shechem to the sword and took Dinah from Shechem’s house and left. The sons of Jacob came upon the dead bodies and looted the city where their sister had been defiled. They seized their flocks and herds and donkeys and everything else of theirs in the city and out in the fields. They carried off all their wealth and all their women and children, taking as plunder everything in the houses.” (Gen. 34:25-29)
Murder. One of the ten commandments to avoid! Imagine every time you walked past this place, you would remember the evil that was committed and the stories of how God’s chosen people were responsible for this great sin. Fast forward to Joshua 21. Hundreds of years have passed and the Israelites have captured the promise land. Land is being given to the tribes. The very descendents of Levi, who committed the murders, are now a part of the priesthood and are given cities to live in and designated “cities of refuge”: places where someone who has committed a murder can be protected. Here is what Joshua 21:21 reads, “In the hill country of Ephraim they were given Shechem (a city of refuge for one accused of murder).” Wow! A place that was once known to be a place where God’s people committed murder is now a refuge for those who do. That’s a great example of God’s redeeming work. Transformation.
The church in Laodicea was fallen. But the council and the promise of God to his people is that no matter how far you have fallen, there is a way back through Christ. Revelation 3:18-20, “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”
No matter what you have done, God can transform you. No matter how far you have fallen, you can find forgiveness and redemption. One who was once known for sin, can be known for purity. One who was once known for greed can now be known for generosity. One who has once sown the seed of recklessness, can now be known for reconciliation. Jesus call was to be earnest and repent.
Have you done so lately? Where and when have you fallen? What sins and sinful habits might others know you for and would they see the change in you after seeking God’s face. May we be people of repentance and people of change that others might recognize.
Your spiritual entropy is a joke to God! Get on fire for him today…
Pastor Thad
