Exodus 39:30: “Then they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote on it an inscription like the engraving of a signet: HOLINESS TO THE LORD.”

December 13th, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

The Old Testament Prophet Zechariah tells us these words, “Holiness to the Lord,” were also to be inscribed on the bells of the people’s horses. It’s interesting that this seemingly sacred inscription was to be placed on both the sacred and the secular. Everything was to be done as unto the Lord, both on the farm and in the city. And everything was to be recognized as dedicated to God, from the High Priest down to the working animal.

In the New Testament, Peter reminds us that as believers we are all now God’s priests, going everywhere (1 Pet. 2:5). We were called out of a life of bondage to sin; and while we are to remain in this world, we are not to be of it. We are called to be in the culture and society but separated from its sin. Like the children of God of old, we are also called to turn every act of our life into a sacred service to God.

The high priest displayed this message of holiness where all could read it and so should we. However, as Francis of Assisi wrote, “Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.” Being labeled shouldn’t be the only way someone sees that we follow God; the witness of our lives should be self-evident and obvious to anyone who would observe us. If the only way someone can tell we are believers is because we have a sign on our foreheads (or on the bumpers of our cars?!), then there is something wrong with our witness. We need to live our lives in such a way that even a casual glance at our words and actions clearly displays that Jesus is the Lord of our lives.

“LORD, please help us to walk the walk today before You and the watching world.”