“They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.” But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment” (Mark 10:4-5).
Moses wrote this law to allow them do what they were going to do. This was never God’s intent, but came about because of man’s sinfulness. It is because of our hardness of heart that these things were allowed. Grace allows us to sin, but its purpose is to restore us so that we sin no more. It is not an excuse. The world looks for excuses, but our Lord desires that we learn to live life the way was created to be lived.
Lord, You know that I run with allowances thinking I am being faithful when I am doing things the way I want to do them. Lead me away from such thinking in order that I may learn how to live life according to Your righteousness. I know I have grace to cover my sin, but lead me to live needing less and less forgiveness and more and more encouragement to live according to Your will.
Come Holy Spirit and clear my mind. You know where I look for excuses. You know where I seek to do things the way I want to do them rather than obediently doing what is right in Your sight. Guide me Lord Jesus according to all that You have taught me so that I live into this life for which You are shaping me according to the Father’s will. I need to be saved from myself. Save me gracious Lord. Amen.
