PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Numbers 17-18
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“I am giving you the service of the priesthood as a gift.” (Numbers 18:7)
In these chapters, the calling and blessing of working in the temple is described.
The Priests and Levites are a specially selected by God and for God, to represent God.
The specifics of these chapters are not relevant, but there is a deeper meaning for us.
According to Peter, we are the temple, the priests and the altar spiritually speaking.
“You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5)
“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
When we pray or encourage or bless others, we are doing priestly work.
When we declare his praises, when we share our faith story, we are being priests!
Our focus is not on a physical altar or building, but the altar of the heart.
We connect people to Jesus in all these ways, and he builds them up in himself.
This is a gift, and we are blessed in the exercise of this gift.
As I go into my day today, can I see myself as God’s specially chosen representative?
PRAYER
Lord, what a thought, what a gift, what a responsibility. Use me today to gather and build up living stones. Bless my words and actions, that they may bud like Aaron’s staff!
To serve is a gift: “I am giving you the service of the priesthood as a gift.” It is a privilege as a child of God to be able to serve! And those who serve will be provided for! Like the Levites – we serve as Christ’s ambassadors – if we seek first the Kingdom of God – we will be provided for. God has been good to me and He has provided – thanks be to God – and He continues to provide – not only the opportunities to serve but even the resources that we need for our daily sustenance.
We are all in the service of the Lord God. We are all prophets, priests and kings. Our first fruits are also given to the Lord in our service to Him.. All of what I have is His to be used in His service. He needs to first in my thoughts and deeds. May others see that I am not my own but belong to Him in word and deed.
1 We give thee but thine own,
whate’er the gift may be;
all that we have is thine alone,
a trust, O Lord, from thee.
2 May we thy bounties thus
as stewards true receive
and gladly, as thou blessest us,
to thee our first fruits give.