Thurs.’s Devo - The Functions of the Temple

Read: 1 Chronicles 24:1-26:11; Romans 4:1-12; Psalm 4:1-12; Proverbs 13:1-6 Aaron’s descendants were the priests. His first two sons died offering strange fire to the Lord. The other two were Eleazar and Ithamar. Eleazar had 16 sons to Ithamar’s 8. They needed 24 divisions so Eleazar would pick two lots at a time to Ithamar’s one. They were all chosen by lot to make sure it was fair. *** The eighth lot fell to Abijah. In John 1:5, we read that Zechariah was his descendant, fulfilling his time of service when the angel appeared to him and announced his coming son, John the Baptist. *** The Levites were chosen in the same way. *** The army commanders and David chose the singers and musicians who were not only talented but prophetic. *** The gatekeepers were the guards at the entrances in charge of opening and locking the doors and gates. *** We are the temple of the Holy Spirit and should be equipped with all these ministries and safeguards in us. We can minister to the Lord as a priest and sing to him prophetic songs of praise. We and are also in charge of what doors we open and close in our hearts. *** In Romans, Paul explained that even before Christ, the way to the Lord was by faith. It wasn’t by Abraham’s deeds that he pleased God and was made the father of the whole Jewish nation, but it was by his faith. His righteousness had noting to do with his circumcision, but his circumcision was an act of obedience, much like baptism is for us today. ***Lord, thank you that we are made righteous by the blood of Christ and our faith in you. May we watch over our temple and keep it holy.