I am sitting at a coffee shop (surprise, surprise) in downtown Monterey, and I find myself reflecting on something I heard in a teaching by Bill Johnson during my drive up yesterday after church. He was commenting on David bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6). After the death of Uzzah which came after the ox pulling the cart David had the Ark on stumbled, David went back and brought the ark in the right way---carried by men. Bill said, in effect, "The Ark was never intended to be carried on a vehicle made by men, but carried on the shoulders of priests." It was one of those moments when I was just struck with an awe at something you can't quite explain, but know is big.
The Ark, in which the presence of God dwelt in the Old Testament, was meant to be carried on the shoulders of priests. Today, in the New Covenant, we know that God does not dwell in buildings or temples, but in the heart of His children. And, in 1 Peter 2:9 we are told that we, believers, are a "royal priesthood." Our greatest privilege is to minister to God, and we are God's intended vehicle to carry His holy presence about!
Stop, for a moment, and let that sink in.
God has chosen not a building, not an organization, but YOU (if you have given your life in faith to Him for Lordship and Salvation) as His chosen vessel to carry His presence in and through the world . . . to show and represent Him to those around you . . . in all of His love and compassion and power! It is an awesome thought, and an awesome privilege. Just thought I'd share that with you---I hope it speaks to you like it did to me.
A woman (friend) in my neighborhood has asked me to come to her home sometime to tell her ailing husband about the way to be saved. As you said, an awesome privilege -- one that leaves me trembling! Please pray for me -- that I will hear and heed the Holy Spirit's prompting for His perfect timing. Please pray for Fritz -- that the Lord will prepare his heart as good soil to receive the saving word of God.
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