#Jesus22 - Daily DevotionalsSample

In the camp but not in the tent?

A leper experienced an inconceivable miracle. He did not die. He was freed from his disease. He was given a new life. He was declared clean, and now? How would you feel? Finally, back to the old life. People are waiting: a cheerful party and a lot of work. I could imagine that such a person would be full of enthusiasm to finally get back home. But the time has not come yet. Back to the camp, yes, but not yet into the tent. Why? Was this a chicanery of the priest -- old buzzkill! Was it a precaution?

If so, who was it to protect? The person himself or rather the others? A leprosy not yet completely cured would have been a danger to the others not only in the tent but also in the camp. That was therefore not the reason for such a harsh measure. So rather, the person himself? But from what? The tent stands for the past. There were still clothes, pots, bowls, cutlery from the time of the active infection. Upon diagnosis, the person was immediately banished from the camp. There was no time to clean or throw away all that. So they waited until they could be sure that these objects were no longer a danger.

Have you ever experienced liberation yourself? Liberation from an addiction, a bad habit, or a destructive behavior. There is a danger in the old things. It can be behavior patterns, digital devices, or things like the stash of alcohol in the basement. There are a lot of things that pull us back to the old. How do we deal with that?
When we have given our lives to Jesus for the first time, or completely anew, it is good not to immediately go back to our old tents. Sometimes, we need time to acquire new habits or distance from things until they are no longer dangerous. Fasting can help us to get this distance.

How great it is to have a God who helps us do this.

ACTION STEP

Today, think about what you need to get away from because it is holding you captive. If you haven't started yet, decide to fast one or more things for a time.