“Aaron and his sons shall assign all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, all their tasks and all their service. And you shall appoint to them all their tasks as their duty.”

Numbers 4:27 (NKJV)

Today we see that not only did God assign duties to the three families of Levites, but He also put them under the authority of Ithamar the son of Aaron. God is a God of order. In the Godhead there is authority and submission. And this carries into human government and even into the church.

We are a generation that questions and resists authority. People think they know better than others and are unwilling to submit to their leadership. But where there is no clear chain of command, then there is chaos. Often at the root of such insubordination is envy and selfish ambition.

“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

James 3:16–17 (NIV)

God establishes leadership in the church because others see things that we do not see. Others have more education and experience. God has called, appointed and anointed leaders, and they are worthy of our respect. Are we willing to consider others better than ourselves? Are we teachable?

God has also assigned us to our place in the body of Christ. We each have a significant role that no one else can fulfill. As a pastor, I am extremely grateful for the people in our church who serve the Lord and others in their various duties. I could not do what I do were it not for their loving and faithful service. I love when people are raised up who have gifts and skills that I do not possess. It is a reminder that Christ is the Head of His church, and He is arranging the parts as it pleases Him.

Are you honoring those who are over you in the Lord? Are you serving the Lord in the place He has assigned to you with all the grace He supplies? There is no greater adventure than this!

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash