Morning by Morning, July 22 - Carriers of the Ark of the Covenant of the Presence of God
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit, as You bring me into the embrace of my Father to begin my day deliberately abiding in the Presence of God. ...
“Early in the morning Joshua rose and set out from Shittim with all the Israelites, and they came to the Jordan. They camped there before crossing over. At the end of three days, the officers went through the camp and commanded the people, ‘When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place. Follow it, so that you may know the way you should go, for you have not passed this way before. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, a distance of about two thousand cubits; do not come any nearer to it.’ Then Joshua said to the people, ‘Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.’ To the priests Joshua said, ‘Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass on in front of the people.’ So they took up the ark of the covenant and went in front of the people” (Joshua 3:1-6).
The prophecies and stories, the experiences and encounters of all the Old Testament speak to us today as spiritual principles for our own spiritual journey. “These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come” (1 Corinthians 10:11). “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). And ultimately, all “the Law and the Prophets,” all they represent and symbolize, point us to their ultimate fulfillment in You, Lord Jesus (Matthew 5:17). For You are the Word of God (John 1:1); for You are the Word made Flesh (John 1:14).
Today, in Christ, we are Your disciples, Your followers, Your priests-- “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9). In Christ, You have “made us kings and priests to (our) God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever” (Revelation 1:6).
And today, in Christ, we are priests of God carrying the ark of the covenant wherever we go--the ark of Your Presence, Your manifest Presence, wherever we go. The Old Testament priests carried the ark with their hands; and today, in Christ, we carry the ark of God in our hearts. For our hearts are Your home (Romans 5:5) and our bodies are Your temple (1 Corinthians 6:19). You abide in us and we abide in You (John 15:4).
Today, my wife Rocio and I are headed to the airport to carry the ark of Your Presence to Nova Scotia, to preach and minister at a weeklong, old-fashioned, Spirit-filled “Camp Meeting” out under a Tabernacle Tent at Fundy Bay on the Atlantic Ocean. Like every one of Your disciples, every one of the sons and daughters of God through the salvation of Jesus Christ, we are carriers of Your Presence in the unique way of who You have uniquely created us and called us to be as “Ambassadors for Christ, since God is making His appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
We go as Your “kings and priests,” filled up with Your Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), baptized “with the Holy Spirit and Fire” (Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:5), “endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49), and full of expectant faith to see what You will do! (Matthew 19:26)
Evan Roberts, the humble but fiery Evangelist of the Welsh Revival, prophesied a hundred years ago that a great revival would break out at the place on the earth where the ocean tides are the highest. That’s Fundy Bay, Nova Scotia!
Lord, let revival break out in us and in that land! Let the Fire of God burn, let hearts be set ablaze with a burning passion for You! Let there be salvation and healing and deliverance and revival! --Not only at Fundy Bay, but in the heart of every child of God, every king and priest of the Body and Bride of Christ that You’ve chosen and called to be alive on the earth in this hour!
Together, in Christ, we are Carriers of the Ark of the Covenant of Your Presence! And through trains, planes, and automobiles; through worship, praise, and preaching Your Word; through walking in faith and burning with Holy Fire; we are each one Your unique “Ambassadors for Christ,” uniquely carrying the glory of Your Manifest Presence everywhere You send us! “Christ in (us), the hope of glory!” (Colossians 1:27) and the glory of God manifested upon us and through us everywhere we go! (Isaiah 60:1; Matthew 5:14) In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, may you be filled up and set ablaze with the Holy Spirit and Holy Fire of God, carrying the ark of His Presence in your heart everywhere you go, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you!
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Messiah Ministries Mailing Address:
412 S. Adams Street #148
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
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