Leviticus 18:1-5
"Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'I am the LORD your God. 3 According to the doings of the land of Egypt, where you dwelt, you shall not do; and according to the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not do; nor shall you walk in their ordinances. 4 You shall observe My judgments and keep My ordinances, to walk in them: I am the LORD your God. 5 You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the LORD. "

Leviticus is full of dos and don'ts...one right after the other. So many of which it seems would have been near impossible to keep. The phrase "according to the doings of" is better translated "what is done in". In other words the Lord is saying, "Don't do what is done in Egypt and in Canaan. Don't act like the Egyptians and the Canaanites. Act like my children." As I was meditating on this verse, in the midst of the disappointment of my shortcomings, the Lord brought to my attention the huge difference between can't and won't. I found myself suddenly convicted that often times I whine, "I can't!" when in reality I am saying "I won't!". I would much rather convince myself that I can't so that I feel better about why I won't. The children of Israel were typical whining children who got themselves in so much trouble because they refused to honor the Lord with their lives. All of his commandments were for their good because he loved them so much. All that he tells us in His word is for our benefit because he loves us...so much!

Father God, thank you for loving us enough to tell us things we would rather not hear. Thank you that you don't change your counsel based on our moods or whining. In the name of Jesus give us the strength to determine that 'we will' rather than 'we can't'. We know that with you all things are possible. May we be encouraged in these turbulent times to focus on you and your ways. May we purpose in our hearts to fix our eyes on Jesus the Rock of our salvation. In Him we pray...Amen.

I pray that God would give you the strength and wisdom to change what you have not been doing into a willingness to do them because you know it pleases your Lord. I pray with confidence knowing that as you obey...your are greatly blessed. May you find yourself falling more and more in love with him as you experience his pleasure in your obedience.