SCRIPTURE:

‘May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you; may he be gracious to you, show you his favor, and give you his peace.’  (Numbers 6:24–26 TLB)

DEVOTIONAL:

Among the twelve tribes of Israel was an entire tribe called “Levites,” who were solely dedicated to the priesthood. The Levites had numerous functions… They were the ones who interceded on the behalf of the people, offered up sacrifices for sin and atonement, and pronounced blessings over the people. 

In the Old Testament, the priest would also bless the king and his army before proceeding into battle. To bless means “to say (or declare) something good, and by faith, empower it to come to pass.” This is not just speaking; The Blessing, which is the scriptural name of the power that created all matter, also empowers goodness, favor, and supernatural victory to come to pass. With the blessing of the prophet (the priest), the power of God would go out before the army and the Lord would fight the battle and deliver the enemy into the king’s hand.

The Old Testament priest took care of all the ceremonial and ecclesiastical affairs, whereas the Old Testament king took care of the secular, civil, and governmental affairs. Both offices were important in people’s lives, and it was absolutely essential that they worked together.

If you are born again, you have been called to be either a king or a priest in the Body of Christ.

PRAYER:

Father, I ask You to reveal to me whether You have called me to be a modern-day king or a modern-day priest. I pray that as a king or priest, I will be faithful to carry out the divine assignment You’ve given me upon this earth by faith and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

This devotional is excerpted from Bill Winston’s book, Faith and the Marketplace, Expanded Edition. To order this inspiring book, click here. 

Listen to this Weekly Devotional here.