Bible passage:
Exodus 19:5b,6a Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
Isaiah 61:6a But you will be called the priests of the Lord; You will be spoken of as ministers of our God.
Romans 15:16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
1 Peter 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light
Revelation 1:6 and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 5:10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.
God called Israel to be a nation set apart for Him. Though Levites took up priestly responsibilities of the tabernacle, God had called the entire Israel to be a kingdom of priests, who function as intermediaries between God and people. In the New Testament, we read that this priestly responsibility falls on all believers! In God’s kingdom, we are all called to be priests of God and of Christ.
Just dwell on the thought that the Creator of the Universe has called you to be a priest. The most Holy God who dwells in unapproachable light has given you access to His throne of grace.
A personal anecdote: In the petrochemical refinery where I was working earlier, the Deputy General Manager’s room was in another building. The moment that he leaves his room to visit our department, every employee would be running around to make sure things are perfect when he comes. One day, I was telling my colleague I was going to call my father (probably for something not that important). He chided me and said, “Your father is a General Manager in a much bigger industry, why would you bother him now?” I remember telling him, he may be a General Manager, but to me, He is my Dad, and I can call him anytime. Then I thought to myself, such is the difference in access between an employee and a child. If an employee fears reaching out to a boss, how much more should we fear calling out to the Almighty, All-powerful, Sovereign King of the Universe? Yet, thank God that His Spirit in us urges us to call Him ‘Abba Father’. When we have such access to God, shouldn’t we be moved by compassion to take up our priestly responsibilities, call out to Him, and especially intercede for those who don’t have that access?
Prayer points:
Let’s thank God that He is a living God. As given in Psalm 115, we have not placed our trust in idols that have ears but cannot hear. We have placed our trust in the living God who loves us and is eager to listen and bless those who fear Him.
Let’s thank our God who called us to be priests. If He chose by merit, righteousness, or by lineage, we wouldn’t have this privilege. Let’s thank God who forgives our sins and uncleanness and is willing to still sanctify us and keep us as His priests.
Let’s thank God that unworthy though we are, we can boldly access His throne of grace through the blood of Christ.
Let’s pray that the God who called us would equip us to be His priests who are faithful to Him in service. Pray that you will grow in the heart and discipline of intercessory prayer and that He will bless you in this journey of 40 days.
If you can, try memorizing 1 Peter 2:5.
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