A Fuller Seminary survey of 1050 Reformed and Evangelical pastors in 2005-06 showed only 26% of pastors regularly had personal devotions and felt they were adequately fed spirituality. We get the idea that the model of success is to make something happen with programs and work hard to make people happy. Henri Nouwen said the main obstacle to love for God is service for God. We can’t really serve Him unless we love Him. We make room for God by taking time to be with Him. We wait before work.
God sets aside the priests for His purpose as they take one young bull, two rams without blemish, unleavened bread, cakes and wafers mixed with oil to be put in one basket. He instructs them to wash Aaron and his sons with water at the doorway of the tent of meeting. “Put the tunic, robe of ephod, breastpiece and turban on Aaron. Take anointing oil and pour it on his head, while anointing him along with his sons as a perpetual priesthood (Ex. 29:1-9).” True fellowship with God comes as you place your faith in Christ’s sacrifice and become washed by the word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit.
“Sacrifice the bull and pour its blood on the horns of altar. Burn its flesh and offer it up in smoke outside the camp as a sin offering (Ex. 29:10-14).” Christ’s sacrificial death that restores your relationship with God should lead to humility, dying to self and confessing sin.
“Offer a whole ram on the altar to be a soothing aroma, an offering by fire, as a burnt offering to the Lord (Ex. 29:15-18).” Give your all to God by surrendering your heart and life to Him.
“Slaughter the other ram, take its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s and his sons’ right ears, thumbs of their right hands, big toes of their right feet. Sprinkle anointing oil on Aaron and his sons’ garments to be reserved exclusively for God. Take the bread and wafer in the hands of Aaron and his sons as a wave offering before the Lord (Ex. 29:19-25).” Christ’s life through His blood transforms how you hear, work and walk.
“The wave offering was to be cooked and eatened by the priests for their ordination. Heave offering was to be a tax to support the Levites. The peace offering signified thanksgiving and sense of wholeness (Ex. 29:26-28)”. Christ brings wholeness as you sense your need of Him, feed upon Him continually and trust His provision.
“The holy garments of Aaron will be for his sons in future generations so they can be anointed and ordained. For seven days he shall put them on when he enters the tent of meeting to minister in the holy place (Ex. 29:29-30).” Being in God’s presence for long periods of time provides grace to serve Him.
“Boil the ram in a holy place so Aaron and his sons could eat its flesh along with the bread in the basket by which atonement was made. Burn any of the flesh and bread that remains until morning instead of eating it (Ex. 29:31-34).” Meditate on God’s word while in His presence.
“Ordain Aaron and his sons through seven days. Each day offer a bull as a sin offering and purify the altar (Ex. 29:35-37).” Remind yourself daily how Christ restored your relationship with God so you will die to self and confess your sins.
“Offer two one-year-old lambs daily in the morning and at twilight with a grain offering and drink offering as a soothing aroma. It would be a continual burnt offering throughout all generations at the tent of meeting where He met with Israel. God consecrated the tent of meeting, the altar and Aaron and his sons to minister as priests to Him. He would dwell among them and be their God so they could know He is Lord (Ex. 29:38-46).” Your total surrender to God determines your success and takes priority over your ministry.
Are you taking time to be with God or always busy serving Him? Spend one hour this morning or evening to just listen and bask in God’s love for you. If a Scripture comes to mind, meditate on it. Thank God for His various attributes and tell how much you love Him in response to His love for you.
