Upon the Edge of Worship

Scripture:  Leviticus 10:1-3 - And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which He commanded them not. And there went out fire from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. Then Moses said unto Aaron, 'This is it that the Lord spake, saying I will be sanctified in them that come nigh Me, and before all the people I will be glorified.' And Aaron held his peace.

"And these are the names of the sons of Aaron; Nadab the first, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office. Nadab and Abihu died before the Lord, when they offered strange fire before the Lord, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children: And Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest's office in the sight of Aaron their father."  Numbers 3:2-4

The tabernacle, where God met the children of Israel, had within it's dynamic the prescribed and controlled setting of fire, for incense burning, and lighting the altar for the burnt offering, managed by those consecrated and anointed as priests to do so, as appointed. The priest's office was held by Aaron and his sons, the inaugural priesthood, by which God could receive the people, and they could be receptive of God.

This was serious business, holy business, and the devotion, as intended, was not generic, but 'brand necessary', dispensed as instructed. The fellowship of generations to come, depended on this getting done right, for the pleasure of God. You could say that this was God's love language. There were immediate implications and consequences with getting it right. It had also generational, and eternal implications, and the privilege was afforded to the priest's office, held by Mose's brother, and nephews. [Exodus 28:1-3 &40-43]

We can't quite know what STRANGE FIRE was other than, it was outside of the will of God, and not in the best interest of His people. As a decision made, it cost Nadab,and Abihu their lives. It cost Aaron two of his sons. It cost Moses two of his nephews. Unstated, but assumed, a mother wept. It cost the community of Israel two of their first priests. The hopes of the people were bruised. And Eleazar and Ithamar now assume the responsibility that was behind the death of their two older brothers, as well as being foundational for the future of their people. Aaron, as priest would minister and would watch these two go, where their brothers had been, and hope.
More profound than this, a loving God, such as ours, also must have deeply hurt [though holiness required this]. Remember 'Jesus wept.'  

As we all step into the unknown of 2021, from the experiencing of a curious, challenging, and in some ways catastrophic 2020, let us step boldly, for the GRACE which supports us, directs us, and permits us the joy and the  privilege of true fellowship, the reasonable hope of a heavenly home, and the remembrance of God as deliverer. Let's have a reach which remembers and is rich with thankfulness. Let's think 'kingdom', and give God the glory!
What a year it has been!

As for 2021, it shall be as it shall be, only for grace and mercy, and the divine intention behind it. Blessing waits: the ticket, our earnest 'Yes'. Fair regard of the truth acknowledges that woe waits as well. May our refreshed orientation freely be loving, and holy, blessing God, with His love language of obedience, remembering Jesus, and honoring, with joy, those permitted to be in our lives.

The delight is in the details; let's get busy. Suit up saints. It's time for an 'I'm all in' worship, and a 'No matter what' praise.

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Therefore-
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law he meditates day and night." Psalm 1:1,2
And also consider-
"He completes me. He leads me rightly for the sake of His Name." Psalm 23:3

A verse for the thirst:
"At that day, ye shall ask in my name : and I'll say not unto you, that I will pray to the Father for you: for the Father Himself loves you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I CAME OUT FROM GOD." John 16:26-27
"And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent. I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do. And now O' Father, GLORIFY THOU ME WITH THINE OWN SELF WITH THE GLORY WHICH I HAD WITH THEE before the world was." John 17:3-5

Prayer:  Precious Lord, thank You for entering our circumstances, so far from the heavenly, to engage this heart, and bless the same with a glorious softening from stone to flesh, from dark to light, and from dead to living. Thank You for the joys and the challenges for all that preceded 2021, for being 'Emmanuel', God with us, and for doing that done for our soul's sake, for salvation. Quicken our remembrance Lord that standing might be right, and faithfulness soar. Bless You Jesus. Amen.


(by Dr. McNeal Brockington)