The next few days our readings are lists of names. If you need more inspiration, I suggest that you also read the following passage for your personal devotions today.
Psalm 112
SCRIPTURE: 1 Chronicles 6
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
So the people of Israel assigned all these towns and pasturelands to the Levites. [1 Chronicles 6:64]
Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep. [Matthew 10:9-10]
The Levites, along with the priests, were the temple workers, fulfilling the tasks assigned to them by Moses and David [the first worship team, 1 Chronicles 6:31-33].
The Levites did not receive one large tract of land for their tribe; they received smaller plots (towns and fields) among the other tribes.
As workers, they received their “keep” from the others; as workers they were worth their keep.
Which is what Jesus says of those who follow and serve Him.
I do not read this to mean that Jesus’ followers are not to own anything; rather, they are not to doubt that the Lord will provide for them when they serve Him by serving others.
They are to trust that He will provide “daily bread” for their work.
Like the Levites, Jesus-followers can own property and have possessions.
But as they devote themselves to specific tasks and activities for the Lord, they can be confident He will give them what they need to fulfill that task.
I have experienced this; it is amazing to me how the Lord raises up specific resources when needed, at just the right time, just as we are preparing for a specific assignment.
He raises up people willing to help, the funds needed to get the job done; He even provides through people who are not a part of our work, through strangers and/or non-Christians.
The Lord is more committed to His cause than I am; If He is sending us, He will provide for us.
And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others… For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. [2 Corinthians 9:8,10-11]
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for providing everything I need, and then some, to fulfill the assignment You have given to me.
Once again the genealogies. Their lines were very important as they served the Lord. And they did serve. And they did receive all from the Lord’s hand. God’s servants they were expecting all from Him.
And I today also am His prophet, priest and king – the office of the all believer. And I too also receive all things from Him, my Lord and God Whom I serve. But do I live that way?
All too often I do not count my many blessings as He has done after the quake. I continue to serve and He has made it a possibility that the school continues to function. I praise Him for His goodness because He placed His people at the right places at the right times so all would work together for His good.
Thank You Lord for using me in Your kingdom service.
1. Make me a channel of your peace:
Where there is hatred, let me bring you love;
Where there is injury, your healing pow’r,
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
2. Make me a channel of your peace:
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope;
Where there is darkness, – only light,
And where there’s sadness, ever joy.
3. O Spirit, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consolded as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love with all my soul – .
4. Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
In giving to all that we receive,
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.