21/04/10

Are you dressed for the job?

1 Chronicle 15:27 - And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen.


I was just getting into the details of the message given to us today and I was once again amazed of how awesome the Word of God is.

David was a King but when it came to the carrying the Ark of Covenant (which I told you before symbolizes the CROSS - the cause of Christ - salvation for mankind) David did not wear his royal garments but was dressed in a fine linen robe and wore an ephod on it.

The word linen < 0948> in Hebrew used for the robe means 'bleached' and the word linen <0906> used with the ephod, comes from root word which means 'separated threads'.

The linen robe symbolizes righteousness of Jesus Christ which we put on when we do the job we are called to do in Christ (carry our CROSS). We inside may not be perfect and may still be fighting some areas in our lives, yet we are called righteous by the Lord no because we are, but because we put on Jesus Christ.

The other linen of which the ephod (priestly garment) was made symbolizes holiness. To be holy means to be separated from things which are not of the Kingdom of God. It does not mean we need to disconnect from everyone who is not a believer, nor to give up all the good things of this world. Being holy means not to indulge or be associated with anything, any habit or anyone which/who takes you away from God or hinders your relationship with the Lord. This would include small simple things, not only great ugly things like sinning.

For instance if our reading the newspaper or watching the news is causing us to meditate on the disasters and causes depression which causes us to lose faith in God, then it is time to drop the newspaper and switch off the TV. Even simple things like talking too much or just sitting idle and dreaming away can be of great harm to many in their relationship with the Lord.

It is an irony that the Hebrew word used for linen here is pronounced 'bad'. According to the world the things that you need to do to be holy may sound foolish or insane. But anything that helps build your relationship with the Kingdom of God (God and His people) is good.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, we are called by You to be a part of You - your Body - the Church. Lord, although we may be doing the work but the real work is done not by us but by You through us. We may not be perfect but since we pursue You who are perfect, we too are called perfect by You. Lord as we step out to do your work help us discern the small and simple things which corrupt us and destroy our relationship with You...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scripture ]
1 Chronicle 15:27-29
27 And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen.
28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.
29 And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.

Romans 7:10-19
10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Romans 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)