“Gather to Me My consecrated ones, who made a covenant with Me by sacrifice,”
Psalm 50:5
Levi was the third son of Jacob mentioned in the first verse of Exodus, and his descendants were those who were consecrated to the service of the Lord as priests – from the family of Aaron. “Levites,” were special guardians of the tabernacle, whose inheritance was Jehovah. A tribe consecrated to the Lord, set apart and dependent on support from the tithes of the other tribes of Israel. The people of God who worked to protect the place where God resided.
God has given us an accounting of how the sin of disobedience caused separation from Himself and the land of Promise. But God, He has always been on a Rescue and Recovery mission. When Moses parted the Red Sea, we can only imagine what was seen within those waters. However, what remains to be seen of God’s miraculous mission to intervene, the glorious salvage extracted from that waterless pit. What remains to be heard, a multitude of stories recounted by those prisoners of Hope (Zechariah 9:11), who drank deeply from the Fountain of Living Waters (Jeremiah 2:13).
Yes, God wasn’t satisfied to part that sea, He made the biggest sacrifice by parting the heavens so His Word could dwell on the earth (John 1:14). We don’t have to imagine what it’s like when our home is missing someone we love. But God, He not only knew this sadness, He suffered the anguish of sending His one and only Son to face Death so sin would no longer have the power to separate Him from us.
This was a very personal, a very poignant – emotional, passionate, demonstrative, impactful, meaningful – gesture of Love, of commitment to make us turn back from the enemy (Psalm 44:10 AMP), to restore to us twice as much – His Word and His Spirit of Truth – so His loving-kindness and faithfulness could be experienced and recounted across the many waters of the earth.
How sad it will be for those who can’t imagine what life will be like when they are eternally separated from the presence of Love. God is Love (1 John 4:8). And He so loved the world…. He did what some can’t seem to wrap their minds around, He forgave all our sins and made us alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:5).
His miraculous intervention, and we can only imagine what occurred within those heavenly realms, when Jesus rose from the dead to publicly disarm powers and authorities (Colossians 2:15), to lead the captives in His train (Psalm 68:18), to ascend amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets (Psalm 47:5). And we don’t have to imagine, we just have to believe with Christ, God lifts us up from the grave into glory where we sit with Him in the heavenly realms – all because Jesus championed His Father’s glorious mission of Rescue and Recovery.
Now God can point to His saints as examples of how very, very rich His kindness is, as shown in all He has done for us through Jesus. Because of His kindness, we are saved through trusting Christ. And even trusting is not of ourselves; for Faith is also a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good we have done. If anyone should desire to boast, let them boast of the Truth, the Life, and the Way God personally reclaims us.
No one can boast, no one can take credit for (Ephesians 2:6-9 TLB) God’s amazing and miraculous mission of salvation. Although when asked, many reply they will be given entrance into heaven simply because they are a good person. What Jesus accomplished to procure our salvation was definitely good, for there is only One Who is Good (Matthew 19:17a), but it was definitely not simple.
God made us and gave us life to be what we are, but now through Jesus, He gives us new life to be who He destined us to be. Our heavenly Father gives us those things that cannot be taken from us. Faith in Him, which gives us assurance about those things we cannot see. Faith in His Word. Which gives us the confident hope of sharing the Lord’s glory, because God’s Word, Christ Jesus, makes a home within our heart (Colossians 1:27), one we too must protect.
We have been given Hope, which is as an anchor for our soul, firm and secure, for Christ Jesus is our Hope! He went before us behind that curtain to enter the inner sanctuary in our behalf (Hebrews 6:19-20). Through this Faith and Hope we receive; God betroths us to Himself forever, He gathers His consecrated ones, those who made a covenant with Him by sacrifice (Psalm 50:5).
Those who forego the illicit – prohibited, immoral, shameful – pleasures of this world, to enjoy the good and true eternal pleasures at our heavenly Father’s right hand (Psalm 15:11b). For He betroths us in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. He betroths us in faithfulness, for we not only acknowledge the Lord (Hosea 2:19-20) has done such marvelous things, we have chosen to do all for the glory of our King (1 Corinthians 10:31).
The Lord has made His salvation known and revealed His righteousness to the nations (Psalm 98:1-2). Yes, God opened the Door for true faith to flow throughout the world (1 Timothy 2:7). Faith that proclaims Christ Jesus is our hope. Faith to proclaim our heavenly Father will not disappoint us in our hope, for His Word upholds us as He promised, and we will live (Psalm 119:116 CJB). For God our Savior has poured out His love into our heart by Holy Spirit, Whom He has given us (Romans 5:5) as a guarantee of what is to come (2 Corinthians 1:22 AMP).
God’s New Covenant is solely based on His miraculous intervention in behalf of His people through Jesus, Who our heavenly Father designated to be our High Priest (Hebrews 5:6,10). Jesus, Who told Peter, “Upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it,” Matthew 16:18. Yes, God placed all things under the authority of the Lord, the Rock of our salvation (Psalm 95:1), God has appointed Him to be Head over everything for the benefit of His Church (Ephesians 1:22 NLT).
We are His Church, the body of Christ, and each one of us is a part of it
(1 Corinthians 12:27). Jesus was put to death so we could receive eternal life, so we could receive the Spirit of Truth, Who through God’s Word consecrates those who honor the covenant they’ve made with God by sacrifice (Psalm 50:5) so we are no longer under a curse for robbing God.
Those who are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works (Ephesians 2:10), who are separated and consecrated to do those things God prepared in advance for us to do, will respect and honor His Word. As priests, as special guardians of the Church we will bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so there may be food for the Body of Christ for we are each dependent on the support of God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit and our brethren. The Lord Almighty says:
“Test Me in this! See if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven
And pour out so much blessing you will not have room enough for it!”
Malachi 3:8
God’s Word is speaking to those who want to enter Life, who are co-laboring with Holy Spirit following His dictates to crucify our flesh by putting to death the misdeeds of the body so we will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God (Romans 8:13-14). Our heavenly Father has given us a double portion – His Word and Holy Spirit – to comfort, to encourage, to uplift and edify – inspire, enrich, enlighten, educate, renew and glorify. For though one who is righteous may fall seven times, they rise again (Proverb 24:16).
And God, Who does what is impossible for our flesh to do – forgive seventy-seven times seven (Matthew 18:22) assures there is no condemnation – no adjudging guilty of wrong doing – for those who are in Christ Jesus, who have chosen to live and walk not after the dictates of the flesh by the dictates of the Spirit (Romans 8:1 AMP).
Yes, we must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God (Acts 14:22b). In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:12-13).
However, in view of God’s mercy and loving-kindness, we should be willing to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is our spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1). Willing to always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so the life of Jesus may be revealed in our body (2 Corinthians 4:10). No one need feel overwhelmed or pressured to be someone they are not. This is a miraculous intervention of Love, of Faith, of Hope to change the way we think, the way we behave, for God desires to fill us with the joy of His presence.
This verse is from the popular song, sung by Brandon Lake and Jellyroll, “I’ll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt, gone-through-hell hallelujah!” I truly can understand the sentiment of that lyric since going through at times can be a hellish experience, to be left behind to find a way to cope. Evil is unfair, unjust and unconcerned about the heartache and havoc created by its presence. But those hellish experiences occur when a human heart is set aflame by desire.
Jesus spoke of a mountain we could tell to move from here to there, and it would move with faith as small as a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20). Faith in Jesus, a Man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Jesus, Who took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows (Isaiah 53:9). Jesus, Who descended to the depths of the earth where those who sought His life will go (Psalm 63:9). Jesus, Who brought His hard-fought, heartfelt, gone-through-hell hallelujah to glorify and extol to honor and magnify God (John 17:1 AMP).
Yes, there is a mountain that must be moved sometimes slightly from here to there, and sometimes to be thrown into the sea (Matthew 21:21). That mountain of words, a lifetime of thoughts and beliefs, with motives and desires that proclaim worship of all that is perceived good for self. Now we all know there are things we say and do that are definitely not good for us or others. But, there are things about ourselves, we definitely believe with all our heart to be good.
For instance, there were things about the way I lived my life and the truths I chose to believe that I once thought good and turned out they were harmful. I thought caretaking, being a peacemaker by avoiding conflict, doing for others, maybe more than I actually should or could, was being a good person. All signs alerting “people pleaser,” which I discovered was a selfish way of living because it’s all about ME.
Me the one who wants to be liked. Me the one who does not want to upset anyone. Me the one who wants to look good for others. Me the one who is not okay with other people’s reactions. Me the one offering protection from confrontation. Me the one choosing to withhold expressing who the true me is. By doing all these things, we keep ourselves, our light and our love from the world – and that is selfish.
This information about me was taken from the article, Over It and On With It With Christine Hassler:
I certainly didn’t view myself as being prideful or self-centered, and I surely didn’t want anyone else to do so either. As a result, I strove to please, which caused my perception of reality, and the person God knew me to be to become greatly devalued and flawed since many times my behavior brought about the opposite of what I intended.
Surely, we don’t need anyone to tell us in this world we will have trouble; however, we need to hear the Truth, Who tells us to: “Take heart! I have overcome the world so that in Me you may have peace.” John 16:33 and you may find true contentment with faith and hope centered and resting in God (1 Peter 1:21 AMP).
Yes, God prepares every gift so we can unwrap revelation from Holy Spirit not only about the Way, the Truth and the Life Who is exalted in heaven, but of the way, the truth and life we are living here on earth. For surely, we don’t know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed within a mother’s womb, so we cannot (know or) understand the work of God, the Maker of all things (Ecclesiastes 11:5).
I share this Scripture because there were things about the way I lived my life and the truths I chose to believe, as I mentioned before that were proven to be harmful. Only God could reveal those toxic opinions and tendencies because He has the answers to what, to when, where and how so we can better understand the why.
Why is not easily answered for many reasons. Our nature is to control, manipulate and fix things for personal comfort and satisfaction.
I would never have been able to realize how freeing it is to be vulnerable and transparent because I was too concerned with what others thought. So much effort went into being accepted, approved of and validated. Attempts made to feel appreciated and loved. So many times, proved futile. These attempts of mine were unable to fulfill my heart’s desire; however, they were very effective in robbing me of confidence and self-esteem.
I point everyone to Jesus because as I’ve discovered we’re just not able to properly help ourselves. At some time in some fashion, we are victimized (subjected to some form of abuse, deception, violence), forced to assume the role of victim (made to feel a loser, a laughingstock, a disappointment, a failure). While ironically, when fairness, justice and vindication are sought we may be forced once again to excuse partiality, wrongdoing and additional belittlement.
This also happens in a house of God because unrealistic expectations, critical judgments and disrespectful behaviors also occupy the pews.
We are all guilty. It’s just so much easier to see error in someone else. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “Rose-Colored Glasses” well they are applied to our natural inclination, which uses any means of denial – to excuse, minimize, rationalize, compare,,, – to justify and assuage.
So, God sends His Word and Holy Spirit to build a solid foundation of Truth for us to stand upon as we learn and train ourselves to think differently. And there is much to learn about God’s Word as we’ll discover in the meaning of the name Levi. God sent the tribe of Levi to do as Acts 14:22a instructs: To strengthen the children of God and encourage them to remain true to the faith. For the meaning of the name Levi is: Attached, wreath, ornament, to weave, to unite, to remain, to abide with, to cleave, to join self. We will discover how the meaning of this name greatly magnifies the Rock of our salvation:
ATTACHED: Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them for this world as we know it will soon pass away (1 Corinthians 7:31 NLT).
ORNAMENT: God continues to send His Word to grant consolation and joy to those who mourn in Zion – to give them an ornament of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a heavy, burdened and failing spirit. That we may be called oaks of righteousness, strong plantings of the Lord, that He may be glorified (Isaiah 61:2 AMP).
WEAVE: Yes, God did form our inner parts; He did weave us in our mother’s womb. We will give thanks to Him, for we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are His works. And our soul knows it very well. Our frame was not hidden from our heavenly Father (Psalm 139:13-15 NASB).
TO UNITE: God has blessed us in the Beloved. In Jesus we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavishes upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth (Ephesians 1:6-10 ESV).
CLEAVE TO: Yes, God has opened the Gate so the uncompromisingly righteous who keep the true faith and betroth themselves to God may enter. He will guard us and keep us in perfect and constant peace whose mind – both its inclination and its character – is stayed on the Lord, because they commit themselves to Him, they lean on, cleave to and hope confidently in the Lord. So, trust in the Lord – commit yourself to Him forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock – the Rock of Ages (Isaiah 26:2-4 AMP).
WREATH: So then, run to win! Now every athlete in training submits themselves to strict discipline, and they do it just to win a laurel wreath that will soon wither away. But we do it to win a crown that will last forever (1 Corinthians 9:24-25 CJB).
ABIDE: For the Lord will open His storehouse where He keeps His rich blessings. He will bless everything you do. You will have money to lend and no need to borrow. The Lord will make you be like the head, not the tail. You will be on top, not on the bottom. This will happen if you listen to (Deuteronomy 28:12-13 ERV) and abide in God’s Word.
TO REMAIN: Jesus came into the world as a Light, so that no one who believes in Him may have to remain in darkness (John 12:46 Goodspeed).
JOIN THEMSELVES: Jesus says to us, “Anyone who is not with Me is against Me, and anyone who does not join themselves with Me in gathering, scatters (Matthew 12:30 Goodspeed).
When we join ourselves and remain in God’s Word, united with the Truth we will learn and experience and willingly proclaim: My heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices; my body also rests secure no longer are my thoughts and feelings scattered because I believe the Truth. God did not abandon His precious Son to the grave, nor did He let His Holy One see decay. Through Jesus, He has made known to me the path of Life! Abiding in His Word, I stand in His presence filled with joy as a son of God to enjoy eternal pleasures at my heavenly Father’s right hand (Psalm 16:9-11).
For those who desire to live and walk by the Spirit, there are free resources available on the website ForGodForeHisGlory.com that will provide knowledge and understanding of God, His Word and our human condition.
Lord, stretch out Your hand to heal
And perform miraculous signs and wonders
Through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus
Acts 4:29-30
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