Today the Levites are called to serve at God's tabernacle, Psalm 87 gives us a glimpse of the nations welcomed into His city, and Paul shares his testimony with the very crowd that tried to kill him.
Numbers 3
📖 What are we reading?: God calls the Levites to serve in the tabernacle in place of Israel's firstborn, and each clan is given its own responsibilities.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He gives every person a place and a purpose in His work. He knows each clan and each task.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? In the same way, we are all called to play particular roles in the church of Jesus Christ. Are we using our talents, time and treasures to serve the body of believers?
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ The bigger picture: Numbers, named for the censuses of God's people, was written by Moses around 1400 BC, and tells of Israel's journey through the wilderness towards the Promised Land.
Psalm 87
📖 What are we reading?: A short song celebrating Zion, the city of God, and the people from many nations who are counted as born there.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He loves His city, and His saving grace reaches beyond Israel to all nations. Most Psalms stress His special relationship with Israel, but here we see a glimpse of His heart for the whole world.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Most scholars believe this is a prophetic Psalm, looking ahead to the city of God that Revelation 21 speaks of. Let us look forward to the day of its fulfilment, and wait faithfully for the orchestration of these events by our God.
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ The bigger picture: The Psalms is a collection of 150 poems and songs, written by David and others, expressing the full range of human emotion in response to God and to life.
Acts 21:37-22:21
📖 What are we reading?: Paul cleverly begins his speech to the crowd in their own language, and recounts his conversion and his calling. But when he mentions being sent to the Gentiles, his listeners turn violent.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He meets people personally, as Paul's story shows, and He sends them out with a purpose - even when the message is unwelcome.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Paul knew his audience and spoke to them in a way they could understand. Can we tell others how Jesus saved us? Let's share our story with wisdom and love, and leave the results to God.
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ The bigger picture: Luke's second book outlines the ministry of the early church - though it could just as well be called the Acts of the Holy Spirit, as He guides and grows Jesus' small movement into something that changes the world.
A Prayer for the Day
🙏 Lord, thank You that You give each of us a place in Your work and open Your city to people from every nation. Help us to serve You faithfully where You have placed us, and to share our story with courage and wisdom. Amen.
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