The Right Order of Serving

I was reading Isaiah 6 today and the description of the seraphim (heavenly creature) stood out to me. These “burning ones” have six wings: two to cover their face, two to cover their feet, and two to fly with. Two cover their face likely out of awe of God, two cover their feet likely out of humility, and two enable them to move and to serve. If that is true, then four of their wings are meant solely for adoration while just two of their wings are being used for service. These seraphim are close to God for a reason: they know the right order in serving Him. If they do not get a true view of God’s glory than they might end up glorying in themselves (their feet), and if they were to ever glory in themselves then their service would not reflect a glorious God but rather just their own image.

Deuteronomy 14 includes instructions to the Israelites for how to give. They were instructed to take a tenth (a tithe) of earnings to the place where God chooses (which will be the tabernacle/temple in Jerusalem). This place was the center of God’s worship. The tabernacle and later the temple were meant to be staffed with intercessors, singers, musicians, and priests who were to serve night and day. The Most Holy Place with the ark of the covenant (the presence of God) was in the center of this place. This place was full of God’s glory and the Israelites had to come here first before they could give. They were to first to have a refreshing time in God’s presence and glory. They were to give offerings to the priests (those who served in the temple, Deuteronomy 18), and then to the Levites (their local priests throughout the country) and to the poor (orphan, widow, and foreigner) around them. This was the right order of service. Their first fruits were meant to go to these priests who were continually adoring God and making sacrifices (prayer) on their behalf. Being in their presence and in the presence of the temple had to bring awe and worship to the Israelites. God’s presence and worship makes all things clear. Then they could rejoice in all God had done for them and share joyfully with those in need around them. Then giving wasn’t a chore but rather a joy (Deut 14:26). With a clear perspective their service and their giving became pure. Serving the local church, the poor, the orphans, and the oppressed is all important, but adoration must come first.

Many Christians are serving today in the wrong order. They are serving diligently, they are giving faithfully, and they are hoping through their works that God will show them favor and show Himself to them. Sadly, with that order they are living no differently from people in every other religion. And it is no wonder why such Christians experience burnout, moral failures, or even fall away. They never started with adoration. They never were convicted of grace (the conviction that apart from God we can do nothing and the joy of knowing that in Him we can do all things). Instead they started with service, sadly reflecting their own image rather than the image of a glorious God.

One of my greatest desires for this new year is to go deeper in adoration and worship for Him and in doing so get more deeply connected with His heart. I want all of my giving and serving to come out of deep love and respect for God. I want my giving to be done out of a place of rejoicing, just like the Israelites who went to the temple to present their offerings. May adoration always come first. He is worthy of it all!