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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise I humble myself before you today, for you are my owner and master. What you said of the Levites—“I have taken them for myself”—is true of me! (Num 8:15–16). You redeemed me from sin and set me apart for yourself. What a privilege and honor to be dedicated to the God of all majesty and power! As the songwriter said, ‘That God should love a sinner such as I, How wonderful is love like this!’ I praise you today for your redeeming grace! Today in Your Word Today you told me about the dedication of the Levites to the service of the Tabernacle. During the Passover in Egypt, when you struck down the firstborn, you sanctified (set apart) all the firstborn of Israel for yourself (cf. Exod 13:2). Now, instead of requiring the sacrifice of the firstborn, you commanded Israel to offer up the Levites in their place. The Levites in turn offered up a bull and a goat to redeem themselves, and they became “living sacrifices” to you (Num 8:12–14). This is a beautiful picture of what Paul told the Romans: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Rom 12:1). In the same way that Moses and Aaron dedicated the Levites to the service of the Tabernacle, I must dedicate myself to your service. You redeemed me from the slave market of sin, and I belong exclusively to you. This means that everything I do is done in your name and is therefore sacred. Reflection The dedication ceremony of the Levites changed their lives forever. Whatever they had done before was left behind, and they began a new work in your service. Have I left my old ways of living behind? Am I striving to do your will in all things? Request Father, I ask that you would impress on my heart a sense of your ownership. Remind me today that I am not my own, for I have been “bought with a price: therefore I should glorify God in my body” (1 Cor 6:19–20 NASB). Thanksgiving Thank you for the joy of being owned by you! I’m not worthy of being your slave, yet you took me to your heart a son—‘Wide open are Your arms of grace’! Hallelujah! In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Such Love” by C. Bishop. Meditation Verse: Numbers 8:14. |