Levites Shall Serve God Alone

We were reading the last five chapters of the Judges in the Morning Devotion. The stories of two Levites brought us into deep reflection. Why there was no king in those days in Israel and everyone did as they saw fit? It is because Levites went after their own interests and did not serve God. At this initial stage of our 40-day fasting, it appears that God reminds us, Levites, to sanctify ourselves and align with God.

The Levite from Judah went to the mountains of Ephraim to become an employee of Micah who gave him clothing, food and a dwelling place and he served idols there. Another Levite of the mountains of Ephraim took for himself a concubine and did not treat her with love. In the end, she was abused by perverted men and died. That Levite instigated civil war, causing Israelites to kill each other. When Levites cared for themselves only, the whole world was in darkness.

In today’s generation, Levites are equally important. We shall focus our hearts on Him and serve Him alone. Pastor Deborah has served God full-time since young. God has healed her; delivered her mom from gambling and her younger brother from drugs. She demonstrates faith in God during ministry and interactions with others. However, she admits that she was satisfying her desires for good – couldn’t stand one meal without meat and coveted some petty gain in food, neglecting her health. All stemmed from her inner greed and sense of poverty. Thank God for adjusting her values and she is getting healthier now.

Asaph, another of our pastors, gave up his job to study in our Bible School at 22, but went astray gradually. Due to low self-esteem, he sought people’s approval. He would do whatever others told him to in order to be what other people wanted him to be. Finally, he was exhausted in body and soul, losing himself. He even thought of giving up to be a Levite. Thank God for leading us to live out our Being and he could then see more clearly his gifts in worship and serving young people. Now he is able to make the most of his gifts and feels fulfilled and empowered in his service.

Growing up as a poor man, I used to long to become a manager. After coming to God, I wanted to serve God because I saw how people admired pastors and I yearned for people’s approval. Thank God for changing my attitude and now I just want to serve God with my limited life into eternity. In the process of establishing our church, I have seen many pastors who were left with loneliness and bitterness as they approach retirement. I plead with God to keep me passionate, pure and joyful in serving Him even in my retirement.

As we serve God alone, He will lead us to ascend and soar. We sing to God and praise Him on one hand and bless people and bless the earth on the other, to bring the whole generation to follow God!■【2023.02.05】