Thursday March 29, 2012

Read Deuteronomy 10:6-9. Exodus 32

 

The Levites stand in the midst of chapters 9-10 as an example, a living testimony, of faithfulness to God. When Moses came down the mountain, having spent 40 days before the Lord, he was astounded to see revelry and sacrifice being offered to a golden calf that the people had made. They had quickly replaced the one true living God with an imitation of a cow! They had rejected God Almighty and bowed down to a hand-fashioned bovine! They had broken the very first commandment!

 

Moses called those who would follow the Lord to himself. Only the Levites came and were willing to execute discipline and the Lord’s judgment upon their own brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers. Their loyalty to God set them apart to be ministers of God’s temple. Only the Levites would have the extreme privilege of ministering before the Lord and being the go-between for the people of Israel and God.

 

The Levites were in the extremely privileged position to stand before the Lord and to pronounce blessings in His name. They were to be respected, provided for and honoured for their love for Yahweh.

 

First Thessalonians 5:12-13 reminds us that, though we are all priests, the Lord has set some people above us, giving them the extreme privilege of leading and guiding us. We are to hold these people (normally the elders and minsters of the church) in the highest regard. We are to adhere to and learn from their admonishment. We are to make their work a joy, not a burden and we are definitely to support them by praying for them.

 

 

Prayer:

¥ Pray for our elders and leaders. Pray that their work in the Lord would be a great joy. Pray that God’s Spirit would fill them and grow them and grant them wisdom beyond their years. Pray that these leaders would love the Lord with their heart, soul, mind and strength.

¥ Pray that the leaders of the Presbyterian Church as a denomination would be Spirit filled men who are able to discern the truth and apply the Word of God to their own lives.

¥ Pray that the leaders of these churches in regional areas would be drawn near to the Lord, encouraged in their work and granted perseverance in their daily grind.