Malachi 2:5-6 – “My covenant with him (LEVI) was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him. It was a covenant of fear, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name”
Signing bonuses, number of years guaranteed, owners’ options – these are all terms that are bandied about in the sports world during contract season. God made a contract with Levi and his descendants, the priests. Both God and the priests had their role in this. The priests were to give to the LORD “fear & awe”. He would give to them “life & peace”. This is the continual journey offered to all God’s people today as New Covenant “priests” (I Peter 1). Whatever is biggest, most dominating, most compelling in our lives is what we fear and are in awe of. It is what is central to us. When God is central, we walk in wholistic life, real life, a life of peace. It is how the contract works in daily experience.
In a world of many fears….. “what is going to happen to my country!!!????”…… “what is going on with my daughter??!!!”, “who would ever want me??!!”…. “what will this merger mean to my job??”…… we are offered life and peace as we allow God to be BIG in our lives. Maybe this is a great time to be reintroduced to the big God of the Book of Deuteronomy or Isaiah. Meditating on such a God will enhance fear and awe, and result in life and peace.
Mark Willey