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Bible Reading: Leviticus 26:3-12

If you keep my laws and are careful to obey my commands, . . . I will give you peace in the land, and you will be able to sleep without fear. Leviticus 26:3, 6

IMAGINE PICKING UP the newspaper tomorrow morning and seeing these headlines:

• “Crime Rate Plummets”

• “Crack Addict Returns $1,000 Found in Trash Can”

• “Largest Bank in the World Leaves Safe Unlocked—Every Night”

• “Shoplifting Comes to an End As Stores Drop Prices”

• “Gas Stations Now Operating on Honor System”

• “Burglar Alarms, Home Security Systems Become Obsolete”

• “Insurance Companies Stop All Fraud Investigations; Insurance More Affordable Than Ever”

• “Last Metal Detectors at Airport Phased Out; ‘Not Needed Anymore,’ Says Security Chief

That would be pretty wild, wouldn’t it? But it would be totally predictable—if everyone in the world were to suddenly become honest. You wouldn’t have to walk through metal detectors at the airport. You could leave the store without asking a clerk to take that white “security clip” thing off when you buy a piece of clothing. You wouldn’t have to lock your house, your car, or your school locker.

It would be pretty cool, wouldn’t it? That gives you an idea of the wisdom of God’s commands. If we all obeyed God, this world would be a totally different—and much better—place. As the Word says, “People with integrity have firm footing, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall” (Proverbs 10:9).

But, of course, the world’s not going to become honest overnight. It won’t even become honest little by little. But you and I can. We can follow God and obey his commands not to lie, not to cheat, and not to steal. That won’t change the world, but it sure will change us (and even some of the people around us). And that’s pretty cool, too.

REFLECT: It can be fun to think about how the world would be different if everyone was honest. But take a few minutes to think about this: How might your world (your family, your friendships, your school, and so on) be different if you were honest every day? if you and your family were honest? if you, your family, and your friends were honest?

ACT: Keep a newspaper on your desk, in your book bag, or in your school locker today to remind you of the wisdom and benefits of following God’s command to be honest.

PRAY: “Lord, you say that people of integrity have firm footing. Please help me each day to keep my footing firmly placed in honesty.”