Like Levites

“Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be Mine… and Aaron made an atonement for them to cleanse them.  And after that went the Levites in to do their service” (Numbers 8:14-22).  “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast Thou ordained strength because of Thine enemies, that Thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger” (Psalm 8:2).  “Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” (Proverbs 20:9).  “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword… a man's foes shall be they of his own household” (Matthew 10:34-36). 

As Levites had been separated

And by atonement were made clean

To be a priesthood consecrated,

Their likeness in us should be seen. 

As newborn babes we came to life

When Christ our Savior entered in,

Yet on that day we entered strife

Against a world lost in sin. 

The Lord ordained our strength to speak

The Gospel with authority

To rescue souls which humbly seek

The truth of God that makes them free. 

Like Levites now, we have a task

To show the way of God’s defense

And answer those who plainly ask

The reason for our confidence.

Thus separated by the Lord,

We’re called to make the Gospel clear,

Dividing us by heaven’s sword

From those who yet refuse to hear. 

Indeed, we shouldn’t be surprised

That households thus have been divided

Where Christ our Savior is despised

And souls against the Lord have sided.

O Lord, Your truth is evident:  

You came, as promised, died, and rose. 

The souls refusing to repent

Have likewise now become our foes.

We pray, Lord, for these hardened hearts,

That they may heed Your invitation 

Before their time to choose departs

And they are left without salvation!

Like Levites, Lord, whom You had claimed,

We know, Lord, we are Yours as well. 

Redeemed by blood, we’re not ashamed

Of truth that saves our souls from hell.