Topic: “Almost” Won’t Do [Friday January 26th, 2018]
Text: Leviticus 11:1-12 (KJV)
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth.
3 Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.
4 Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
5 And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
6 And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
7 And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you.
8 Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.
9 These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat.
10 And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you:
11 They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination.
Key Verse: “Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.” (Leviticus 11:4)
Almost every adult can recollect some moments when he/she came so close to a targeted goal but, alas, missed it. Such near misses often bring a sense of regret and dissatisfaction. The bigger the thing at stake and the closer the attempt, the more painful the memory of the incident. Even with a “consolation prize” for our effort, we are still tormented by the forfeiture of the coveted prize. One lesson learnt from such experience is that “almost” is not enough.
This truth can be deduced from the instruction that the Lord gave to the Israelites concerning clean and unclean animals. God required that they eat only clean animals – animals that part the hoof, are cloven-footed and chew the cud. Any animal that did not meet the three criteria was unclean and was not to be eaten. Similarly, fishes with no fins and scales were to be regarded as abominable.
In the gospel dispensation, such ceremonial laws are not applicable to us. But we can learn some principles from the narrative. Observe that some animals almost made the list of clean animals. The camel chews the cud but has no parted hoof; the swine has parted hoof, is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud. They were considered unclean. Almost is not enough in this case. There is a spiritual dimension of this truth. Like Agrippa, many sinners are “almost persuaded” to be Christians. By the overwhelming evidence before them, they are convinced and convicted about repentance and yielding to the Lord, but certain considerations have kept them from taking that necessary step.
Today, there may be something that the Lord has laid in your heart to accomplish or an act of simple obedience He expects of you. Allowing alternative considerations will lead to disobedience. Almost won’t do it; be altogether persuaded and yield.
Thought For The Day: Nobody gets God’s blessing for almost obeying Him.
Bible Reading in a Year: Genesis 41-42.
Flatimes’ Notice Board: Please do not prolong your salvation if you have not repented. Many are going home daily and tomorrow maybe too late.
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
