Serving the Lord

O. T. #311  "Serving the Lord"
June 27, 2014
Numbers 7
And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him.  Numbers 7:89

LET IT GLOW

Throughout the last thirty some years, I have served in the church in various ways. I have been Sunday School director, children's director, children's church director and teacher, teacher of all ages of children and youth, women's teacher, missions director, vacation bible school director and teacher, janitor, typed the bulletin, and the wife of a deacon and a pastor. However, it does not matter what position we hold, but that we are doing our best and faithfully serving where the Lord wants us.

With the completion of the tabernacle, the Lord communicated His Word to Moses from the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies (Lev. 1:1, Num. 1:1). (MacArthur)

In the Experiencing God study, Blackaby and King say the fact that God spoke is far more important than how He spoke. Those he spoke to knew He was God, and they understood what He was saying.

When God spoke:

• the experience was usually unique to that individual;
• the person was sure God was speaking;
• the person knew what God said;
• that was an encounter with God.
• Today God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.

Do you hear God speaking to you? What is your reaction? Are you like Samuel or Jonah?

LET IT GROW

Falwell tells us that this chapter chronologically belongs after Leviticus 8 and before the book of Numbers.

Irving Jensen says, "But it is placed here because it included the bringing of supplies necessary for transporting the tabernacle, which is one of the subjects under consideration in this first part of Numbers. The arrangement of much of Numbers is logical, rather than chronological."

Did you know that this is the second longest chapter in the Bible? Psalm 119 is the longest.

We read that the twelve princes of Israel  brought identical gifts and offerings for the dedication of the altar on twelve successive days. Although the offerings of the princes wee identical, each is separately recorded by inspiration. (New Scofield Bible)

This fact of God's personal concern is seen also in the New Testament through the widow's mite episode (Luke 21:1-4) and the identical sevenfold message of Christ to His seven churches in Asia Minor (Rev. 2-3).

What is our attitude when we serve the Lord week after week, doing the same things? Are we refreshed or is it mundane to us?


LET IT GO

Serve the Lord with gladness.

Sing His praises and give thanks.

Stay faithful in what tasks He calls me to do.