Author: astherainandsnow

“One of the scribes came up and… asked him, ‘Which commandment is the most important of all?’  Jesus answered, ‘The most important is, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The second is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.'” Mark 12:28-31

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.  In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another… If we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us… We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:7-12,19

The basis and source of love is God. When asked the greatest commandment, Jesus answered with the Shema, a summons to listen, take seriously, and stake our claim in God as one. ‘Pledge your faith in the one God of love, and you will understand and be able to fulfill the command.’ This God who in love saves then commands His people to love Him and others as a rightful outflow.

Love poured in becomes love poured out as we open ourselves to the Spirit’s gift. The more we understand and experience God’s love, the greater will be its force through us to others, a dynamic, living expression of our oneness and filling with Christ. Does this flow describe our ongoing practice? (John 13:34-35; 15:12; Galatians 5:22)

For love to run its course in and through us, we must remember Calvary, and claim its efficacy for our souls. Filling daily with God’s Spirit, and determining to obey these ‘greatest’ commands assures that outflow be available, ready to tap with an act of will. We then go forth, ready to spread His love abroad in the world as He has in our hearts. (Romans 5:5)

How steeped am I in the love of God? How melodious, how constant, how robust is its flow through me? Who needs a douse of Christ’s refreshing, encouraging, comforting love today, and what will I do about it?

Heart of your heart,
Apple of your eye,
In love You choose us
For intimacy.

With love You seek
And save and fill
Empowering us
To do Your will

Please turn my mind
To reciprocate love’s way
that I in you resting
Would love more today

In impulse and kindness,
In zeal and in power,
Make my heart overflow
Hour after hour

Keep filling my senses,
Your pulse be my own,
Your heartbeat my rhythm
My heart’s love Your throne

So Your love flows through me
To all whom I see,
That they would know Christ’s love
Is living in me (PEB)

Lord, run Your course of redeeming love through me where You will.

“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” Acts 14:15-17

“The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.” Psalm 19:1-4

“The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.  For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened… They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever!” Romans 1:18-21,25

Paul and Barnabas strode boldly into city after city, proclaiming and explaining gospel truth, rousing conviction and emotional response. In Lystra, after the Lord healed a cripple through Paul’s command, crowds began to worship them as miracle- working gods. Paul immediately exposed their foolish propensity to give homage to people and things rather than to God. He alone was the Source of all things good, animate and inanimate. He was the only One worthy of worship, adoration, and allegiance.

The witness of the Lord God- His creativity, beauty, and power- is everywhere. Outwardly obvious in the colors and systems and whimsical intricacies of nature, and inwardly evident in the exquisite harmonies in music, familial love, intellectual epiphanies, social intuition, His fingerprint is ubiquitous. As dwellers in His appointed time and space, we are accountable to respond and relay.

The vastness of the skies beckon us to bow, the beauties of His creation to praise. His wisdom and order call us to get in step, the conviction of His Spirit to reconcile. His energy and power are offered freely in answer to prayer, His love and mercies extended are ours to dispense.

How often do we contemplate the Lord’s manifold witness? Are we casual, callous, or distractedly ignorant of His bountiful display around us? Or do we hone our senses to comprehend the majesty, delight, and perfect wisdom behind all He has made, and think on how to magnify His witness? How promptly do we praise Him, acknowledging Him as the First Cause? When piqued with curious wonder, do we align our ideas and plans with His mind? With whom do we testify of His loveliness? Witness meaningfully received becomes witness clearly and powerfully communicated.

Lord, reflect and proclaim Your excellent witness in my words and deeds, to Your glory.

“As a deer pants for flowing streams,
    so pants my soul for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
    for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my food
    day and night,
while they say to me all the day long,
    ‘Where is your God?’
These things I remember,
    as I pour out my soul:
how I would go with the throng…
with glad shouts and songs of praise…

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my salvation and my God.

My soul is cast down within me;
    therefore I remember you…
Deep calls to deep
    at the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your waves
    have gone over me.
By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,
    and at night his song is with me,
    a prayer to the God of my life.
I say to God, my rock:
    ‘Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning..?’
As with a deadly wound in my bones,
    my adversaries taunt me,..
    ‘Where is your God?’

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my salvation and my God.

Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause..,
    deliver me!
For you are the God in whom I take refuge…
Why do I go about mourning..?

Send out your light and your truth;
    let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
    and to your dwelling!
Then I will go to the altar of God,
    to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre,
    O God, my God.

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my salvation and my God.” Psalm 42-43

The psalmist’s song of lament flows with doleful cadence in minor key. Spiritual famine, sorrow, setbacks have served only tasteless tears night and day. Distance from God, taunts from those nearby, bones and soul ache. Yet his refrain turns the notes to spring from winter, melody lifting the shroud from shadow to light. The God who hears his mourning and receives his anguished questions is worthy of hope. This God of his salvation is worthy of praise.

The agony of lament is palpable. Borne in pain, bent downcast, a dirge may draw out long. Yet, lament to the living God need not remain in weeping or shadows, but find uplifting resolution in the perfect refrain, ‘I will yet hope, I shall again praise.’

With the Lord, there is a glorious end to every story. The Man of sorrows, well-acquainted with grief, was crucified and raised to set captives free, turn mourning to dancing, and assure the ultimate redeeming of all things. (Psalm 22:1; 30:11; Isaiah 53:3-11; Matthew 27:46)

What present pain do we bear? Loneliness, longing, fear of or shame from failure can cast down heart and soul. Would we openly, honestly lament to God, then choose to hope, not in changed circumstances, but in Him?

Father, may my every lament believe in hope and conclude with praise.

“Herod … killed James with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, arrest[ed] Peter also… He put him in prison, [under] four squads of soldiers… But earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

“Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with chains, and sentries were guarding the prison… An angel of the Lord… struck Peter and woke him, saying, ‘Get up.’ And the chain s fell off his hands… ‘Follow me.^‘ And he followed him… When they had passed the guard[s],… the iron gate leading into the city opened.., and they went out… Peter… said, ‘I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me.” Acts 12:1-11

Peter had experienced clear guidance from the Lord before, having opened the gospel to Cornelius and the Gentiles. Many came to believe and rejoice, and for his role in discipling them, he was imprisoned under threat of death. The church rallied in prayer for his deliverance, and God responded in glorious fashion. Communion with God that delivered unto salvation was also powerful to deliver from chains. (Acts 10:1-29,42-44; 11:17-18)

Connection with the Lord God through Jesus is real, and potent. God interacts with His children. He hears and answers prayer. His Spirit initiates, directs, and emboldens. He’s always accessible and translates our expressions, even when we’re unsure how to pray, to God’s perfect will. Do we value and seize the privilege of prayer? Have we by faith explored and implemented its possibilities? (Romans 8:26-27,34)

Many a day can get jumpstarted without our taking advantage of prayer. While the Lord never ceases to watch and keep His own, we miss the practice, shield, and beacon of concentrated, life-giving communion with Him. We neglect the intercession, and forego the opportunities, insight, and inspiration it affords. Prayer sharpens senses and sensibilities, hones character and conscience. It awakens us to beseech God for great things, and gives eyes to see them unfold. It secures the Spirit’s armor and fills with security and expectation. (Ephesians 6:10-18; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

From what bondage to fear, shame, regret, wrong thinking do we need release? What needs weigh heavily, what grief smothers? When will we regularly take time and attention to pray for ourselves, God’s people, His will on earth? He stands ready to deliver and do all things well.

“What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer!

Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge–
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.” ~Joseph Scriven (1855)

Lord, keep me on my knees and about my hours in earnest, joyful expectancy, praying without ceasing for Your will and glory.

“Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. And he said in the presence of his brothers and the army of Samaria, ‘What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?’ Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, ‘Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!^‘ Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders.

“So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

“But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.” Nehemiah 4:1-9

Nehemiah had returned to Jerusalem from captivity to rebuild with King Artaxerxes’ blessing. But not all were so supportive. Almost immediately the Jews met resistance cruel and conniving. With mind and heart saturated in the character and power of God, Nehemiah was able to lead his people to oppose every type of opposition Sanballat spit and threatened. He would not succumb. His God imbued purpose, identity, and strength to do what the enemy taunted was impossible. (Nehemiah 1:4-11; 2:1-8,17-20)

The enemy of God and His children is wiley and vociferous in his craft. His aim is to undermine purpose, steal identity, kill confidence, destroy vision, deceive from truth, extinguish hope. He opposes God’s will in every way and is relentless in subverting the righteous efforts of His people. (John 8:44; 10:10; 1 Peter 5:8)

But our God is greater, more than a match for his cruelty and force. Where the devil accuses of feeble plans, the Lord imparts might and certain ends. Where he disparages holy commitment and reverence, God delights to receive them. Where he questions and subverts noble goals, the Lord enables with possibility and perseverance. God gives the mind to work with passion and prudence, and fights for His own. (Nehemiah 4:10-21; 1 John 4:4)

What present opposition seems overwhelming? Has the world dampened spiritual fervor, blurred vision, or infected desires? Has discouragement dampened resolve or squelched obedience? Is fear, shame, or niggling regret tripping up spiritual progress? The Lord God opposes every opposition with perfection, power, and victory.

“The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure.” ~Martin Luther (1529)

Lord, against every opposition, help me stand firm on Your victorious side.

“It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.”

“He found him in a desert land,
    and in the howling waste of the wilderness;
he encircled him, he cared for him,
    he kept him as the apple of his eye.” Deuteronomy 7:7-9; 32:10

“Because you are precious in my eyes,
    and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
    peoples in exchange for your life.” Isaiah 43:4

“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
    therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” Jeremiah 31:3

“Thus said the Lord of hosts,.. he who touches you touches the apple of his eye.” Zechariah 2:8 

The Bible is replete with the soothe, song, and substance of love. The Lord God on high tenderly and strongly loves His children. He created the heavens and earth in love for His people, so they could live and breathe and know and love Him. Treasuring His own as precious in worth and in His sight, He pursues and provides for, honors and holds near. He continues faithfulness from generation to generation, His heart one with those of the promise, His intent that all remain in love. (John 17:10-13; 1 John 3:1)

We are in God’s heart constantly. What place does He have in ours? If it is hard to answer, we must consider whether we grasp the extent and strength of His love for us. Taking in His expressions of love throughout the scriptures will cause its reality to soak into our souls and minds. A deep acceptance of His measureless mercy and unadulterated grace does much to make us secure, grateful, and free to give Him space in our hearts.

With whom are we sharing our heart’s affection and desire? Who or what besides the Lord takes our breath away, captures our focus, receives our best efforts? Many are the little-l lovers of this world, but so much greater, lasting, and substantial is the Lover of our souls. What can and will we do to better welcome Him to take up residence on our hearts, and from there infuse every part of our motivations, decisions, actions, lives? (Matthew 6:24; 1 John 2:15-16)

“Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise;
Thou mine inheritance, now and always.
Thou and thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’ns Sun!
Heart of my heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.” ~St. Dallán Forgaill (530-598)

Father God, may You forever be first in my heart.

“No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.” Matthew 9:16-17

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Jesus was practical in His teaching, giving everyday illustrations to elucidate His deeper lessons. Having demonstrated his ability to transform and heal, and calling worldly men to His spiritual mission, He described to them what needed to take place in order for them to participate in His life-giving ministry. Only as new creatures, new wineskins, could they be filled with faith to take on their new calling and produce the sweet wine of transformative influence. (Matthew 9:2-9)

Our spiritual life cannot flourish as an add-on to pre-Christ practices and sensibilities. Enemies and beggars all, we need the redeeming blood of Christ applied in full to be declared righteous, to be made ‘new.’ When Jesus saves us, we become new creatures able to think and desire and behave with a whole new system of life and energy. Our references and resources are now from above and compel new direction. Attempting to ‘do better’ and ‘be different’ without exchanging the old life is a fruitless endeavor. (Romans 5:6-11)

Where do we find ourselves spinning wheels in ineffective activity? Do we live days frustrated at our unfinished business or lack of meaningful productivity, while never pausing to ask the Lord’s direction and inspiration? Have we grown accustomed to working increasingly harder in the flesh, when we really need to lay down that flesh and take up God’s Spirit? Maintaining a humble posture before the Lord to receive new daily mercies supplies for, motivates, and enables fruitful ministry. Will we yield? (Lamentations 3:22-23; Romans 8:9-11)

“In the crushing, in the pressing
You are making new wine
In the soil I, now surrender
You are breaking new ground

So I yield to You and to Your careful hand
When I trust You, I don’t need to understand

Make me Your vessel, make me an offering
Make me whatever You want me to be
I came here with nothing but all You have given me
Jesus, bring new wine out of me

In the crushing, in the pressing
You are making new wine
In the soil I, now surrender
You are breaking new ground

Make me Your vessel, make me an offering
Make me whatever You want me to be
I came here with nothing but all You have given me
Jesus, bring new wine out of me

‘Cause where there is new wine
There is new power
There is new freedom
To serve You here
I lay down my old flames
To carry Your new fire today

Make me Your vessel, make me an offering
Make me whatever You want me to be
God, I came here with nothing but all You have given me
Jesus, bring new wine out of me.” ~Hillsong (2018)

Father, keep me repentant and fresh, a worthy vessel for Your filling and using, to Your gracious ends.

“Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest… for letters to the synagogues, so that if he found any belonging to the Way.., he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.  As he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ He said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Rise and enter the city, and you will be told what to do…’

“Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias,.. Rise and… at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying,  and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.’ Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.’  But the Lord said, ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.'” Acts 9:1-6,10-16

Ananias was stunned at the Lord’s command. ‘That Saul? The one bent on destroying Your people?’ The Lord explained that yes, he was the one in His sights to be a unique instrument. He knew all about him and what he’d done, and would use him mightily to influence people far and wide with the gospel that drastically saved him. Paul’s first-hand experience of God’s pursuing, potent grace empowered his message. His very transformation wrought wonder and amazement among otherwise complacent people, elucidating God’s intent and power to save. It fueled desire to know this same God who could deliver and remake. Paul’s passion for destruction turned to an equal zeal for good. (Acts 9:20-22, 28,31)

We, too, might be curious at some God chooses to minister for Him. We observe behavior and criticize in our hearts. Knowing past transgressions, character flaws, or personality quirks, we discount possibilities. We neglect grace that redeems. Beware smugness in thinking we’re more deserving or appropriate or qualified than another! Beware questioning God’s chosen instruments lest we diminish His grace and glory! He will always do what He knows is best, and work in ways that bring Him glory, including saving and using the most rotten and wicked of sinners.

To correct thinking and attitude, behold the Lord God himself, who looked on the masses with unquenchable love and came to the earth to save. A humble look at God and an honest look at ourselves guards us from casting aspersions on anyone else. God chooses with full knowledge and righteous intention. Who am I to disqualify another? Who am I to know better how He might develop or use someone? (Deuteronomy 7:7-8; 2 Samuel 7:18-24; John 15:16; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:8–9)

When I’m tempted to question God’s choices, would I bow and thank Him for choosing me? Would I submit myself as a unique instrument in the Master’s hands? How will I seize His call to do my gospel part?

Lord, have Your full way with me and all your chosen to do You will, to Your glory alone.

“‘You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you… who received the law… and did not keep it.’

“When they heard these things they were enraged, and ground their teeth at him. But [Stephen], full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. The witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep.

“And Saul approved of his execution.

“There arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles… Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

“Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.” Acts 7:51,53-8:1,3-4

Stephen gave bold and thorough voice to the gospel, and guilty crowds hated the pointed, biting conviction, so they stoned him. Little did they know that killing the truth-teller does not eliminate the truth. The following persecution of believers served to spread the gospel far and wide, increasing rather than squelching its impact. Eyes opened, the possessed were freed, debilitations were healed, joy abounded. The ravaged church ignited to a changed, charged church that could not be stopped. (Acts 8:5-13)

Many a ‘truth’ is promoted today by individuals and through the media. Crowds are drawn and swayed to prophesies, superficial soundbites, feel-good promises, and flashy deeds. Lives might even be changed in cursory but real ways. (2 Timothy 4:1-3)

Yet when the gospel is proclaimed, the power of the Lord is unleashed. Genuine condemnation penetrates the heart, and we must respond, either by rejecting or receiving. Those convicted in spirit might turn to persecute the messenger, which in turn invites condemnation. Those who humbly let truth’s conviction have its way will proliferate the good hope it ensures. Which is it for me? (Hebrews 4:12)

Am I even exposing myself to hard truths, or do I resist the refining fire of God’s beautiful word? Have I experience of being persecuted for my commitment to obedience and bold proclamation of God’s word? If so, how has it served either to quench or to spread the flames of good news? (Matthew 5:11-12; Romans 12:14; 2 Timothy 3:12; 4:2)

How has God’s word changed me- in outlook, desires, language, attitude, character, industry? What has it burned away, what new passion has it stoked? Where has the Lord ignited His gospel through me to bring life change in my home, workplace, neighborhood? If we are faithful to the proclamation, heard or expressed, the Spirit of God will see to its proliferation in His way, place, and time. (2 Timothy 3:16)

Lord, may I faithfully receive and proclaim your gospel, and so proliferate its beauties and power, to your glory.

“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

“And now, O priests, this command is for you. If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart. Behold, I will rebuke your offspring, and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and you shall be taken away with it. So shall you know that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may stand, says the Lord of hosts. My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him. It was a covenant of fear, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name. True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. But you have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts, and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but show partiality in your instruction…

“So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.” Malachi 2:1-9,16b

The Lord takes seriously the condition and behavior of His priests. Having become the great High Priest to make His people righteous and holy, He expects that His holiness be upheld in daily relationships, work, and ministry. While He offers generous blessing to the faithful, His words are sharp and stern against the corrupt. His all-seeing eye discerns darkness and sincerity of motive, and holds accountable both spirit and behavior. (Malachi 2:10-15; 3:18-4:4)

It is a high calling to be God’s holy children and priests. We are His possession and we bear His royal name. From countenance to words spoken, reactions to intentional behavior, we are to exude His excellencies and light. To assess the purity of our priesthood, it is prudent to ask those close to us what they see, and how well we exemplify the Lord Jesus in priestly office.

Are we intentional about standing in awe of Jesus’s name in private worship? How does it tame our impulses and shape our hearts? Are we taking care to guard our spirits from the pollution of the world’s filth and greed? Are there habits or social situations we need to avoid? What distinguishes us in our communities as the Lord’s chosen and holy people, or do we look and behave like everyone else?

As for ministry as His priests, how seriously do we take our role? How and when do we stand in the gap for others, intercede in prayer, and instruct from His word through teaching and example? How can our lifestyles repel corruption and promote peace?

Lord, guard my heart and keep me vigilant to bear Your royal name and serve Your priestly purposes with the honor You deserve.