I am the Lord, “Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy.”

Leviticus 20:7, 8

This is the Daily Light opening verse for today.  It begins with the Lord speaking, reminding listeners that He wants to make us holy.  In this age, this may seem like a strange thing, holiness.  When has someone told me that he or she is enjoying this holiness?  This seems strange to our age.  Yet it is meant for us just like it was meant for the Children of Israel as they settled the Land of Canaan after years in Egypt.

The first words are arresting.  I am the Lord.  This is not just a bit of advice for some who wish to take note of, it is an eternal, settled fact.  It all begins with who God is.  He is holy!  An only He can make us holy.  We can desire holiness but it is a gift of God and is received, certainly not made by us.

As His people we must consecrate ourselves and be holy.  As to consecration, we have a part to play, for it is an act of the will.  “Today I consecrate myself to do the will of God.”   What does that mean, consecrate?  We should know because consecration and sanctification are almost the same.

Our culture does not speak like this.  Even today is seems so strange and esoteric.  As I write I am aware of the fact that this is not the daily conversation for us in our time, even among believers.  Yet, for God and his people, Israel, it was at the heart of their walk together.

I am the Lord, who makes you holy.  Only the Lord can do that, certainly not us!