DCLM Daily Manna 16 May 2021 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — No Excuses
TOPIC: No Excuses
TEXT: Numbers 15:22-29
22 And if ye have erred, and not observed all these commandments, which the LORD hath spoken unto Moses,
23 Even all that the LORD hath commanded you by the hand of Moses, from the day that the LORD commanded Moses, and henceforward among your generations;
24 Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour unto the LORD, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering.
25 And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them; for it is ignorance: and they shall bring their offering, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD, and their sin offering before the LORD, for their ignorance:
26 And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the children of Israel, and the stranger that sojourneth among them; seeing all the people were in ignorance.
27 And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering.
28 And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.
29 Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them.
KEY VERSE: “Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour unto the LORD, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering.” – (Numbers 15:24)
MESSAGE:
If everyone were allowed to give excuses for every wrong done, the most gruesome criminal would pass off as a saint! Imagine a legal system that accepts ignorance as an excuse; premeditated crimes would have been explained away without proper justice being served. Knowing the nature of man, God did well to point out that, He would not condone ignorance of sins committed without remission of that sin.
The text centres on what to do when a congregation or an individual commits a sin out of ignorance. Rather than taking human excuses or legal arguments on why the sin was committed, God expects remission for all sins whether done by ignorance or presumption. This echoes the saying that no one can appeal God’s verdict except by remission, redemption and restitution. In the Kingdom’s economy, there is nothing to be swept under the carpet or blanket that will not be revealed on the day of judgment.
God will not hold anyone guiltless no matter their stance or pedigree. We must obey and follow the royal law as recorded in the Scriptures to repent when there is still hope for redemption. If we are found wanting, instead of standing on the fence of ignorance and formulating convincing alibis to exonerate ourselves, we must make reconciliation and restitution to the offended party regardless of who they are.
Is there any unresolved issue, restitution, repentance, reconciliation, apology or confessions that you hope the sand of time may bury? Settle it today! If the matter is grievous, such that life is involved, you may need to consult a trusted and mature spiritual leader for counselling. On the day of reckoning, God will not wink at a sin that was not confessed and atoned for by His Son, Jesus Christ.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Judge yourself now to avoid the wrath of heaven on Judgment Day.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Corinthians 10-13
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.