Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional By Kenton Cheek

27 February 2024

Reading From Numbers 8-10

“You are to bring the Levites before the Lord, and the Israelites are to lay their hands on them. Aaron is to present the Levites before the Lord as a wave offering from the Israelites, so that they may be ready to do the work of the Lord.”

–Numbers 8:10-11

     It is fascinating to me that in order to commission the Levites for ministry in the House of the Lord, the Israelites were to lay their hands on them.  I wonder if this was for the congregation of Israelites to have the opportunity to acknowledge their service and leadership. Perhaps this sent a kind of message from the people to the Levites that they are set apart from the other tribes to do this holy work.  It is symbolic of confirming the Lord’s anointing on someone. 

Today, we lay hands on ministers being ordained to the ministry as well as for prayer whether it be for healing or some other need.  There is something comforting, reassuring and affirmation of fellowship in a hand on my shoulder and a heartfelt prayer offered by a fellow believer. I can remember going through some dark times during my childhood and crying in my bedroom in the middle of the night. In my loneliness I would cry out to God in prayer, and I would sense His Presence with me so strongly that I could feel the comfort of a firm hand on my shoulder as if to say, “Don’t be afraid, Kenton. I’m right here with you.”

“Lord, I pray that I would be faithful to pray for others and recognize the special qualities You have blessed them with.  Set us apart for Your purposes and for Your glory.  Give me the courage to minister Your care and compassion to those around me.  Amen.”

So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

–Acts 9:17