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Chronicles 6 reminds me that there are many ways to “minister”.
Most of us know we are full of faults. We tend to think that God
cannot use us, particularly when there are those pious, priestly
people that are trained for ministry. My friend, God wants to work
in and through your life today to comfort, encourage, correct or
maybe even motivate. You are useful in God’s service, not because
you are super spiritual, but because you willing. Those of us that
have failed or fallen are now equipped to deal with others in that
same place. Jesus explained the simplicity of ministry to His
disciples when they were acting a bit too “qualified”. “For
whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you
belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose
his reward”
(Mark 9: 41).
You do not know when a gesture, or a word, or an act of kindness
will serve as a renewing refreshment to someone that is bruised. The
chapter provides
the genealogy of “The
sons of Levi“.
As we will see, while all served God, not all were priests.
The
chapter begins with the priestly line, “Aaron,
Moses… Eleazar… Samuel“;
all of them are incredibly important men, but there is not one
mention of their accomplishments. I am convinced that in heaven
there awaits a greater reward for the faithful nameless saint that
prays for God’s intercession than for the one who receives
recognition on earth. The chapter reserves the first commentary for
“The
descendants of Merari… The Temple Musicians“.
We read, “These
are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the Lord
after the ark came to rest there“.
Words that are set to music are powerful. I think it is very cool
that while we sing praise to God, it is both a sweet sound to Him and
at the same time, God inhabits the praises of His people. We are
ministered to while we lift praises to God. Maybe that is why it
is given a prominent mention?
The
chapter continues, “Their
fellow Levites were assigned to all the other duties of… the house
of God. But Aaron and his descendants were the ones who presented
offerings on the altar… done in the Most Holy Place, making
atonement for Israel“.
Anyone that has ever read their job description knows what “Other
Duties” means! Number chapter 3 made it clear that the rest of the
Levites were to,
“perform
duties
for him and for the whole community“.
The chapter also reminds us the Levites were to be scattered
throughout the nation in “Cities
of Refuge“.
In Numbers 18:20
God told
to Aaron, “You
will have no inheritance in their land…I am your share and your
inheritance among the Israelites“.
This assured that these ministers would be serving among the people,
not just in the House of God. Jesus alone is our High Priest. He
made atonement for us. There is no longer a need for making daily
sacrifice; that is not your job! We need only accept the gift of
Salvation and live out our faith before others. Hebrews 13:15
instructs us non-priests to “Bring
a sacrifice of praise”
before God.
Need a lift? Lift up a song of praise; you will be surprised at the
ministry that follows.