Standing
Scripture Reading — Deuteronomy 10:6-9
At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi … to stand before the LORD to minister and to pronounce blessings in his name.
—Deuteronomy 10:8
In today’s culture, what kinds of events make us rise to our feet? We stand in excitement when a goal is scored in a close game on the soccer or football field. We join in a standing ovation when we see an amazing performance. We rise when an honored guest enters the room.
In ancient Israel the tribe of Levi was set apart for another kind of standing. The Levites were chosen “to stand before the Lord to minister and to pronounce blessings in his name.” This was a call to serve the Lord in the many duties required to help people worship God, and to share the good news of God’s blessings for all. While this involved everyday work and routine, it also involved heart-stirring responsibilities to stand up for and honor the amazing Lord of heaven and earth who had delivered his people. So the Levites were in this way like the angels of heaven. The angel who came to announce the birth of John the Baptist later said, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to … tell you this good news” (Luke 1:19).
God calls us to stand by putting on his armor so that we can “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Our enemy, the devil, wants to knock us down, but in God’s strength we can “stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:10-11), using God’s gifts to honor our Lord in all we do.
Lord, we stand in awe of you. Help us to serve and speak faithfully for you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the author — John Kuperus
Since he was young, John Kuperus has had a passion that everyone would know Jesus. Spreading the good news that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15) is very important to him. To be better equipped for missions, John attended Reformed Bible College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He applied these skills with marketplace evangelism in a business he started in Sussex, New Jersey. This calling continued to follow him, so John attended seminary and became a minister in the Christian Reformed Church, serving a church in Ontario for eight years. Currently he serves as a missionary for Youth with a Mission (YWAM). He witnesses Jesus changing lives as people walk out of the darkness into the light. John is married to Helen, and they have seven children.
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