tribes of Israel

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2 Chronicles 11:16 Set Your Heart Correctly

Those from every tribe of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the Lord, the God of Israel, followed the Levites to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices to the Lord, the God of their ancestors. 2 Chronicles 11:16

People will often set their hearts on something, but not always follow through with it. Challenges and obstacles come up and deter them from their desires. Their hearts are not fully set upon accomplishing that desire.

Others are willing to follow through whatever their heart is set up no matter what the challenges or obstacles that get in their way.

After Israel split as a nation, everyone in the tribes of Israel that had set their hearts upon seeking God followed the Levites to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices to God.

While many people set their hearts on something, often it is only for a short time. Desires change very quickly and often. Usually this is due to challenges or peer pressure to change.

Making the choice to follow God is easy, but truly following God takes a dedication that many do not always have. They are willing to seek God when in need, but when it comes time to have to sacrifice something to seek God, many will back down.

In order to seek God, time, energy, entertainment and more must often be sacrificed. They will not travel the distance to fully follow God with all of their heart, mind and strength. People will sleep in or go fishing on Sundays, rather than going to the house of God to seek Him and worship Him with other believers.

Just as the Israelites set their hearts on following God, believers must set their hearts on following God, being willing to leave all to worship and be a living sacrifice to God.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will set your heart upon seeking God above all else; that you will do what is needed to seek God; that you will be a living sacrifice unto God; and that you will meet with others to worship and sacrifice to God on a regular basis.

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Exodus 28:29 Remembering Before God

red heart necklace

“Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continual memorial before the LORD.” Exodus 28:29

One of the ways that people like to remember other people is wearing a necklace that brings a memory of a person. There are many younger girls that wear a necklace with the BFF, Best Friends Forever, stamped up it. They want to remember their best friend at all times.

Another way that many people remember someone is with a small picture inside a pendant hung around the neck. These can be pictures of someone still alive or a loved one who has passed away. Either way it is a way of remembering the person. It can bring back many memories of good times, the love and friendship of that person.

As Aaron was to enter the Holy Place, the temple, he was to wear a piece that carried all the names of the sons of Israel, the tribes of Israel, over his heart. As he met with God, this would help him to remember all of the people of Israel and to bring their needs before God.

One of his jobs as high priest, Aaron would have to bring the offerings and sacrifices of the people to God. When they sinned against or praised God, it was Aaron who stood before God for them.

When Jesus came, he made all who are His followers priests. Every believer is a priest before God. As a priest, believers have the ability to stand before God on the behalf of other people. The believer is also now the temple of God himself. He can always be in the presence of God.

Each and every day, the believer must bring before God the needs and praises of those he knows. He must remember the names of the people who are in need around him, rather than just focus on his own personal needs, just as Aaron and Jesus had done.

You are a priest of God, if you are a believer. You have direct access to God on behalf of the needs of others. Each and every day, take time to bring the needs of those you know up to God. Carry the names of your friends, family, enemies, and all neighbors on your heart as you go before God. Be the priest of God for the people. God can use you through your prayers.

I pray today that you will know who you are in Jesus; that you will have the names of people on your hearts as you pray to God; that you will lift up the needs of others before God daily; and that God will do many great things through you in others.