GOD wants us to minister to Him? But Why?
Since GOD is not alone but has three persons in One GOD: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and since He is all-knowing and full of grace and truth, why does He want us to minister to Him?
GOD encourages us to minister to Him because our worship defeats Satan. There is an on-going war against GOD’s rule, where Satan fancies himself taking over. When we worship the LORD, Satan, his influence and his influencers are reduced in power.
It gives Our LORD pleasure and joy to have us minister onto Him. We are His children and He loves — as any good father loves — to experience His children, hands on or through observance, our joy. He takes pleasure in our laughter and experiences pain at our pain: He is full of compassion.
So, ministry to GOD combats the enemy and brings joy instead.
And it isn’t only for GOD that we worship, but He’s designed us sas worshippers, and so it is also a pleasure for us; we are the direct beneficiaries of the defeat of Satan and the joy of the LORD in our lives.
Zadok found favour in GOD’s eyes
Ezekiel 44
First: the scene is set at how angry and saddened GOD has become with the Israelites who have abandoned His worship for false gods and influences from people all around.
“Now say to the rebellious house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “O house of Israel, let Us have no more of all your abominations’….” (Eek 44:6-14) The priests will no longer be allowed to minister to GOD but can be caretakers of the people, not allowed to enter the inner courts but only to ‘keep charge of the temple, for all its work and for all that has to be done in it.’ (Ezekiel 44:14)
But to the sons of Zadok the Priest, ‘who kept charge of My sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from Me, they shall stand before Me to offer to Me the fat of the blood…..’ (Ezekiel 44:15)
It is an honour to minister to the LORD
We do not worship for ourselves. We worship the Lord GOD because it is right and good, it gives Him pleasure, and shows our faithfulness to Him.
Let us not take it for granted (I’m speaking to myself!)
We minister. We who are saved by His grace are saved for His glory. And when we minister to Him, it has blessings for us — but that is not why we do it.
Let us take a leaf out of Zakok the Priest’s book…. Let us minister and we shall receive our reward in the ministering. But above all, the LORD is pleased. And His glory defeats that which would come against us whenever and wherever it can.
Hallelujah! We give GOD all the glory and honour and blessing. And leave the heavenliness in His hands. Amen.
“Rejoice in the LORD always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)