Daily Devotional
Why Do We Serve God?
“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Now there was a young man from Bethlehem in Judah, of the family of Judah; he was a Levite, and was staying there. The man departed from the city of Bethlehem in Judah to stay wherever he could find a place. Then he came to the mountains of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, as he journeyed. And Micah said to him, ‘Where do you come from?’ So he said to him, ‘I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I am on my way to find a place to stay.’ Micah said to him, ‘Dwell with me, and be a father and a priest to me, and I will give you ten shekels of silver per year, a suit of clothes, and your sustenance.’ So the Levite went in. Then the Levite was content to dwell with the man; and the young man became like one of his sons to him.”
Judges 17:6-11
July 22, 2024
Ponder This
This Levite that came to Micah was out of a job and was trying to find some food and a place to stay. The Levites, according to the law of God, were to assist the priest. They were to teach the law. They were to lead in praise. Micah said to him, “You can be my personal priest and if you will be my priest, I will feed you.” This man of God would be the appointed priest of an idolater and a wicked man for money.
In Judges 18:4 the man said, “so Micah did for me. He has hired me, and I have become his priest.” He was a hired man, not a man of God. Jesus said in John 10:12, “But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.”
A true minister of the Gospel does not act just because He is paid to do it but because He is compelled by the love of Christ. You may not be a paid minister, but how many times do we have this mentality? We do things for God because we are rewarded rather than doing things because we have been called by Him.
- What are some rewards you look for when you do something to serve God—whether directly or indirectly?
- How can you remind yourself of the calling of God in your daily life?
Practice This
Thank a pastor or minister who has encouraged you in your faith.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
