Day 122 of 365
ASSIGNED FOR SERVICE
For centuries, the Levites served in and around the tabernacle - the portable tent of meeting that housed the ark of the covenant and the many accessories used in worship (Nu 4:5 - 15). Israel's priests managed the sacrificial system and took responsibility for disassembling and reassembling the tent each time the camp relocated. When the Lord arranged for Israel to rest from the threat of war in the last years of David's reign, the king seized the opportunity to reassign the Levites to new responsibilities. This coincided with plans for building a permanent temple in Jerusalem - the portable tent would no longer be necessary. With forethought and care, David managed Israel's leaders for optimum effectiveness in service to the Lord (1Ch 23:2 - 6).
This is similar to how Jesus loves and serves the church. He assigns various spiritual gifts as needed, for the good of the body of Christ (Ro 12:4 - 8). Just as national changes in the era of King David called for adjustments in the use of leaders, so Christ manages the church's changing needs - assigning specific gifts to empower ministry. Spiritual gifts are meant to serve the church body, enable it to perform its mission to the world and glorify God through Jesus (1Pe 4:10 - 11).
Jesus, please show me a way that I can use my gifts to serve you and your kingdom today. Amen.
1 Chronicles 23:24-32 NASB
24 These were the sons of Levi according to their fathers' households, even the heads of the fathers' households of those of them who were counted, in the number of names by their census, doing the work for the service of the house of the L ord , from twenty years old and upward. 25 For David said, "The L ord God of Israel has given rest to His people, and He dwells in Jerusalem forever. 26 Also, the Levites will no longer need to carry the tabernacle and all its utensils for its service." 27 For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were numbered from twenty years old and upward. 28 For their office is to assist the sons of Aaron with the service of the house of the L ord , in the courts and in the chambers and in the purifying of all holy things, even the work of the service of the house of God, 29 and with the showbread, and the fine flour for a grain offering, and unleavened wafers, or what is baked in the pan or what is well-mixed, and all measures of volume and size. 30 They are to stand every morning to thank and to praise the L ord , and likewise at evening, 31 and to offer all burnt offerings to the L ord , on the sabbaths, the new moons and the fixed festivals in the number set by the ordinance concerning them, continually before the L ord . 32 Thus they are to keep charge of the tent of meeting, and charge of the holy place, and charge of the sons of Aaron their relatives, for the service of the house of the L ord .
Romans 12:4-8 NASB
4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
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