“As for those of you who are left, I will make their hearts so fearful in the lands of their enemies that the sound of a windblown leaf will put them to flight. They will run as though fleeing from the sword, and they will fall, even though no one is pursuing them. They will stumble over one another as though fleeing from the sword, even though no one is pursuing them. So you will not be able to stand before your enemies.” – Leviticus 26:36-37

In Leviticus chapter 26 God is warning his people Israel about the consequences they can expect if they choose to live their lives in disobedience to him and his commands. One of those consequences is a life of great anxiety. The picture that is painted in these verses is a people who are constantly listening for the next attack. They will be people who are always scared and always ready to run even though there is no one pursuing them. This sounds like a terrible way to live!

Once we are in Christ, there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39). We never have to worry about him abandoning us. However, even as believers, when we continue to live lives in defiance of him and his desires for us, it creates a great deal of stress. No matter how good life seems on the outside, when we are purposefully living in sin, we will live a life of anxiety. But the opposite is also true. When you know that you are living in obedience to God and your relationship with him is thriving, even the most difficult times can be faced with great confidence. The truth is, there is no peace quite like the peace of knowing you are living within the perfect will of God.

Almighty God and loving Father, forgive us for the times we live out our sinful desires even though we know Your will. Give us a heart of repentance and fill us with a desire to live in obedience to You. Align our lives with Your will and, in that, destroy our anxiety and give us perfect peace in You.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Shane Cannon