Daily Devotional
The Lord of Life
The Lord gives statutes for His people, and He is not mocked by presumption, murmuring, or borrowed worship. In the wilderness, some sinned with a high hand; Korah and his company cloaked rebellion in pious words; in Jeremiah, the nations feared the heavens and bowed to works of their own hands; in the psalm, the sanctuary lay in ruins under divine anger. These things are not far from us. A man still gathers sticks on the holy day when he treats God’s command as light. Korah still speaks when envy resists the order God has appointed. Idols still stand when men trust what their own hands, devices, or trade can secure.
Clement says, “Whoever shall attempt to do anything with presumption, provokes God, Numbers 15:30 it is said.” And Cyprian warns, “Separate yourselves, said He, from the tents of these wicked and hardened men, and touch not those things which belong to them, lest you perish together in their sins.”
Yet John shows that the Judge of all the earth has come near to the tomb. Christ does not deny death, nor does He flatter grief. He weeps, then calls Lazarus forth. The One whom Jeremiah declares Maker of heaven and earth is the same who cries with a loud voice before the grave. Therefore the answer to vanity, fear, and rebellion is not bare resolve, but obedience to the living Christ. Leave the tents of mutiny. Cast away vain confidences. Keep the memorials God has appointed. Pray to the Creator by day and night, and walk as one who must come out when the Son calls.
“Whoever shall attempt to do anything with presumption, provokes God, Numbers 15:30 it is said.”
— Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies)
“Separate yourselves, said He, from the tents of these wicked and hardened men, and touch not those things which belong to them, lest you perish together in their sins.”
— Cyprian, Epistles
For Reflection & Discussion
What presumptuous sin have you been treating lightly that you must confess and forsake today, without excuse or delay?
From what company, practice, or possession tied to rebellion or vanity must you separate this week so that you do not share in another’s sin?
How will you honor the living Creator today in a concrete way—by set prayer, almsgiving, or some act of mercy for the sick or grieving—instead of trusting the work of human hands?
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