“Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father’s house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch.”
— Numbers 2:2 (KJV)This devotion comes from an uncommon scripture. It may be strange to write about, but it’s crazy how this particular verse spoke so clearly to me. It was important for God to tell Moses to make sure every family is represented around His tabernacle. When we read stories of the children of Israel, it’s hard not to imagine these people as just a massive group on their way to the Promised Land.
To God, every little detail matters, even who you are in the Body of Christ. There’s something so powerful and uniquely special about who you are as an individual, including your testimony! The things of your past, whether they be struggles or triumphant victories, make you who you are today. You are extremely important to God. The Bible teaches us in Revelation, chapter 12, that we are victorious not by how we fight, but by who we have become, which is “the word of our testimony.” That’s the “family standard” that the Book of Numbers is referring to. It’s the testimony of what we have been through and a symbol to the world of who I am becoming, and it matters to God!
Here’s a caveat worth noting. Jesus tells a story about a shepherd who would leave his ninety-nine sheep to search for the one who wandered off. This amazing story displays God’s endless love for us. It’s even more beautiful about the importance of the whole one hundred. As much as God cares about who we are, He cares much more about what makes the Body of Christ whole, and you are included! Who you are, your victories, struggles, testimonies, and your history make the ninety-nine whole. You are not just a number in a massive group of people, nope! Who you are is important. God wants you on display among His people.
Spend some time this week asking God how your testimony can help someone else overcome their challenges. Remember, who you are matters to God.
Matthew Grant |
