Fear God (and Your Mother) - All Our Daily Bread Daily Devotionals for 2025

Bible in a Year : Psalms 66-67, Romans 7

Do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God. I am the Lord your God.
Leviticus 25:17

Today's Scripture & Insight : Leviticus 25:8-17

When elite athlete Darren was first offered performance-enhancing drugs, it was by medical professionals.

“You need to do what the others are doing,” they reasoned. Darren was shocked to discover that doping was indeed widespread in athletics, seemingly without consequence, but he vowed never to cheat himself. As he explained, “My mum had told me that the day I felt I needed drugs to be successful was the day I should stop. I only fear my mum and God, so that was enough.”

Likewise, in the workplace we face plenty of opportunities to ‘cheat’, cut corners, or be economical with the truth to be successful. We too can reason, Everyone else is doing it.

This is not a modern problem. Israelite law decreed a Jubilee year every fifty years. In this year, “each of you is to return to your family property” (Leviticus 25:10). This meant that land would never be sold permanently but more like a leasehold arrangement, adjusting the price accordingly (v. 16). When the Jubilee was approaching, Israelite sellers should lower the price of the land. God says to people tempted to cheat, “Do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God” (v. 17).

Instead of looking to the world for what is right, God’s higher calling shows us a better way. God has woven the desire for fairness into our souls. Whenever we’re tempted to ‘cheat’, may we focus on God’s standards.

By: Tanya Marlow

Reflect & Pray
Where in your life are you tempted to ‘cheat’ because that’s what everyone else is doing? What helps to bring your focus back on the God of fairness and truth?

Dear God, thank You for being honest and fair, and for giving laws that promote justice for all.