The Great Day of Atonement
TEXT: LEVITICUS 16:20-34
KEY VERSE: “For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord” (Leviticus 16:30).
A comparative study of world religions easily reveals the extent to which men go in the attempt to forge a relationship with God. Most believe that a stupendous application of personal efforts would court divine approval; others resort to shedding the blood of man created by God to eulogize a god whom they then accept as God. Yet, man cannot please God by vain efforts. God can only be sought and reached through the simple redemptive plan outlined in Christ.
The atonement of which the Cross is the symbol is wholly ethical in its implications: there mercy and peace embraced each other. It was kept by the Jewish people as a solemn Sabbath on the day of atonement. On this occasion, only the high priest was permitted to enter into the holy of holies. Having bathed and dressed himself entirely in the holy white linen garment, he brought forward a young bullock and two young goats for a sin offering. He presented the two goats before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle and cast lot upon them.
Jesus is the propitiation for the whole world. As He is the High Priest so He is the sacrifice with which atonement is made to pave the way for our reconciliation with God.
Those who wish to profit from the redemption that is in Christ must humble themselves, confess their iniquities, abstain from every appearance of evil and believe on Him who died for our sins. Through repentance, we afflict our souls, sorrowing for our sins and subsequently making a promise never to go back into them again. If our sin is as red as crimson, the blood of Jesus can wash us whiter than snow. As you apply it with faith, He is faithful and just to forgive and will cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Appropriate this great benefit today.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The atonement by Jesus authenticates the gospel

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Prosperity of the Wicked
TEXT: Job 21:1-21
KEY VERSE: “How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger” (Job 21:17).
Health and riches are definitely desirable by every man. No one rejoices in lack, want or poverty. In fact, the Scripture supports the desirability and divine approval for us to prosper and be fulfilled (3 John 2).
Yet, how can one explain a situation where it is the wicked and those who live in defiance to God’s moral laws that appear to be rich? How can a self-conceited rich, proud man be flourishing? That is the dilemma of Job in our text. Many people are often puzzled by the dispensation of divine providence that appears to favour the wicked. It is common in our society to find many rich people who flagrantly disobey God prospering in life, while the righteous wonder why their own lots in life have not improved beyond their ability to afford moderate living.
Our text today presents a classical narrative of the deception that may accompany prosperity not based on righteousness or fear of God. And because God would not execute judgment speedily upon such a wicked and proud rich man, such falls into self-delusion that his riches will save him from divine punishment. Job was troubled at the irony of life where the wicked prospers and flourishes in wealth. He was only short of accusing God of discrimination or partiality.
There appears to be a somewhat comic relief however at the end as the passage shows that the unrepentant, proud and wicked rich man is destined for destruction. It is obvious that riches without the fear of God is a shallow life characterized by hollow experiences leading to inevitable gallows. The passage warns against the danger of pride that may come in prosperity. We are therefore admonished not to allow the prosperity of the wicked to discourage us from putting our faith and confidence in the God of Abraham, the friend of God and a prosperous man. Divine judgment will inevitably come upon those who allow their riches to deceive them or use their riches to speak and act against God.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Riches without God reaches hell.