The
Levites had an important part to play in the life of Israel. A man
called Levi (Matthew, the writer of the first Gospel) had an important
part to play in the life of the early Church. We are told, in Psalm 37:17,
that “the Lord upholds the righteous” – “The days of the blameless are
known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever” (Psalm 37:18).
This is a tremendous declaration of the saving purpose of the eternal
God. We, who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, are part of the
inheritance of Israel and of Jesus’ first disciples. We have come to
share in their inheritance through reading, with faith, the Scriptures
of the Old and New Testaments, the Scriptures which declare to us God’s
preparation for Christ and God’s proclamation of Christ. Through
Christ, we have entered into an eternal inheritance: “eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
There is to be prayer from “every one who lives in the land” (Joel 1:14). It is to be personal prayer - “O Lord, I cry to You for help!” (Joel 1:19). These two belong together - prayer for the nation and personal prayer. This is expressed so well in the words: “O Holy Ghost, revival comes from Thee. Send a revival. Start the work in me.” We hear the words, “Return to the Lord, your God” (Joel 2:13). They are followed by some wonderful words about the character of God - “He is merciful and compassionate, patient and always ready to forgive and to change His plans about disaster” (Joel 2:13). How do we know that God is like this? We look at what He has done for us - “Be glad and rejoice. The Lord has done great things!” (Joel 2:21). Looking at all that the Lord has done for us, we trust His promise: “Whoever calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved” (Joel 2:32). This salvation is more than forgiveness for past sins. It’s more than the future glory of being in God’s ev...
Comments
Post a Comment