February 25

Set Apart

But you will be called the priests of the LORD; they will speak of you as ministers of our God; you will feed on the wealth of nations, and you will boast in their riches. — Isa 61:6 BSB

This literal promise to Israel applies spiritually to all believers, the spiritual descendants of Israel. If we live up to our privileges, we will live for God so clearly and distinctly that others will recognize us as set apart for holy service and call us “priests of the Lord.” We may work or trade like others, but we can still be entirely devoted to ministering to God. Our primary occupation will be offering the continual sacrifice of prayer, praise, testimony, and self-consecration to the living God through Jesus Christ.

When this is our primary focus, we can leave distracting concerns to those who have no higher calling. “Let the dead bury their dead.” It is written, “Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vine-dressers.” They may handle politics, solve financial problems, debate science, and settle the latest controversies; but we will dedicate ourselves to the service befitting those who, like the Lord Jesus, are ordained to a perpetual priesthood.

Accepting this honorable promise as a sacred duty, let us put on the garments of holiness and serve before the Lord all day long.