The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Great Expectations (not about the book) (08/25/11)
As the sun arises launching the new day, a heavy burden haunts the forethought of every mind. The fresh dawn soon becomes disheveled by the numerous, sinful possibilities. The burden weighs heavier than the camel’s load migrating through the wilderness. The Lord spoke and his words remain absolute. The weight of perfection hovers over their souls, beyond their reach…outside the realm of possibility. The infinite supply of goats and sheep, birds and turtledoves, choice flour and olive oil wait for the moment of sacrifice for the need is immense. Each second of the day and every single step painstakingly consumes the mind for fear of being the next one to prep the way with the forewarning, “Unclean!”
The vast expectations bring about heavy hearts and distracted minds. How is one expected to obey every law, every last command and remain spotless at all times? For even sin committed beyond their awareness must be confessed and presented as a sin offering before the priest.
Perfection is simply impossible.
In the book of Leviticus, the Lord reveals to Moses the lifestyle in which one is to live in order to be pure and righteous before the Lord. The laws, seemly reaching eternity, encompass expectations to guide the Israelites. As a result, these laws inundate them beyond comprehension. The finite rituals consumed every thought, every deed, every waking moment.
Before Christ, God’s unattainable expectations struck fear in the hearts of those who sought him. The painstaking truth was the law could not bring righteousness. “For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.” (Romans 3:20)
However, through Christ, righteousness becomes reality for all people. “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ…For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.” (Romans 2:22-24)
So enjoy the goats and sheep, birds and turtledoves, choice flour and olive oil. They no longer force us down the trail to righteousness. All we need is simple faith. Through faith in Christ Jesus, we find freedom from the great expectations of the law and we receive the righteousness God intended for our hearts from the beginning of time.
You have a choice: goats and sheep…or Christ.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 612 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
09/01/11
This is a nice devotion. I like the beginning, so many people can relate to feeling burdened before the day hardly wins.

This is going to be a familiar theme for this topic. I like how you made it your own and unique by using the sacrifice choice or by Jesus. Nicely done.
C D Swanson 
09/03/11
Nice job! Good read with clarity of God throughout. God Bless you~