DEVOTION – DAY 150

Leviticus 5:2,6 “Exchanging Guilt For Forgiveness”

Lev.5:2,6 “2 If anyone becomes aware that they are guilty – if they unwittingly touch something ceremonially unclean (whether the carcass of an unclean animal, wild or domestic, or of any unclean creature that moves along the ground) and they are unaware that they have become unclean, but then they come to realize their guilt; 6 As a penalty of sin for the sin they have committed, they must bring to the Lord a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for them for their sin.”

One side effect of the Covid-19 pandemic is the issue of guilt. A woman became infected by the Covid-19 virus. She became ill and was admitted into a hospital. Her condition worsened and arrangements were made for her to be on a ventilator as she had breathing difficulties. Before she was intubated, the doctor asked if she wanted to call anyone. She called her son and told him she does not blame him for passing the virus to her. She told her son he must not harbor any guilt. Her son admitted he felt that the weight of his guilt was lifted from his shoulders because she had forgiven him. He had felt terrible for unknowingly infecting his mother and causing her to be in such a serious condition. This man is not alone in feeling guilty. There are many like him who had unknowingly passed the virus to family members causing them to also become Covid-19 positive. Some became seriously ill and some even died. The guilt can be a heavy burden for people to carry.

In the above verses, God had a way of dealing with the issue of guilt. The issue of being contaminated with something unclean, whether it is a virus, bacteria, or sin would require the sacrifice of an animal as a sin offering. In the New Testament, the animal sacrifice is replaced with the one time sacrifice of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ on the cross. His sacrifice for the sins of all who would confess of their sins and call upon Jesus as their Lord and Savior. For the people who do so, there is no more condemnation and guilt for their sin. Instead, there is forgiveness and love. Today, there are many people burdened with guilt and regret. They may be burdened with guilt for having ruined relationships and failed marriages. They may be burdened with guilt for failing to bring up their children to love and fear God. They may have felt guilty for causing hurt to others. Whatever the sin, guilt and regret people may have, they can surrender it all before God and confess their sins before Him and know that they are forgiven because the blood of Jesus has washed all their sins and guilt away.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for the sacrifice of Jesus whose blood washes away all our sins, guilt and shame. Thank you for your forgiveness, mercy and grace. Help us to live full, free and meaningful lives for your glory. In the wonderful name of Jesus we ask. Amen.

Questions

1. What guilt or burdens are you weighed down with as a result of this Covid-19 pandemic? Share.
2. Will you surrender all the guilt and burden, confess them to the Lord and seek His forgiveness so that you will be free from the burden of guilt?
3. Who do you know is similarly burdened and how can you help them to receive release from their burden of guilt? Share and Discuss.