Belief

09.14.13

Psalm 110.4 4 The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”  A Psalm of David (ESV)

Ain’t too much to be known about Melchizedek save what we read in Genesis 14, Psalm 110, and Hebrews 5, 6, and 7. And even then the details are somewhat sketchy. God seems to make a big deal about it despite not much information.

As I read Psalm 110 this morning, I thought about belief. Although we don’t know much about Melchizedek, we do know he believed, for Genesis 14 says he was: Priest of the Most High God. (V. 18). It doesn’t say he was a priest, just that he was priest of the Most High God. This Melchizedek, in the days of antiquity, believed. That’s very important. Relationship with God is all about belief. And Melchizedek believed in God. And Abraham (who also believed in God) brought offerings to Melchizedek. And Melchizedek blessed him. (Also very important.)

Then David writes in Psalm 110 about Jesus: The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind,

“You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (emphasis mine). We might paraphrase it: You are a priest forever after the order of Belief. In our world it’s always about belief.

For us to make it in this world has nothing to do with this world’s systems and values; it has everything to do with belief in God. For the godly who is entrusted with worldly wealth comes a God-given ability to handle it. For the godly who is entrusted with worldly governmental power and authority comes a God-given ability to handle it. It doesn’t matter what we do it matters what we do with what we do. And we do what we do because God is God over what we do and we’re to do what we do as if we were doing it for God Himself.

That’s why there was another order apart from the Aaronic (Levitical) order which preceded the Levitical priesthood described in Exodus. It is the everlasting order of Belief. God chose His method of dealing with the Jews as He did; but to the rest of us He has said: just believe.

And that’s where it comes down to for a little person like me, living in a little place called Baker, working as a little clerk in a little hardware store: belief. Through Jesus Christ I am called to follow in the Order of Melchizedek, the Order of Belief. There are no trinkets, or titles, or rituals, or regulations, just the clothing of the righteous: plain white linen (which is, according to Revelation 19.8) “…the righteous deeds of the saints.” It is the clothing of belief. It means little on earth, but everything in Heaven.

Father, Your word is a reminder to me today that things of infinite measure and worth are associated with a little person like me living in an insignificant city like Baker. What matters to You most is belief, and You have staked Your entire God-ness on this truth: … they shall be my people, and I will be their God. And it will be so because they believe. I believe. I sometimes believe poorly, but I believe. Help me to walk in that stature today and to wear the righteous deeds of a saint as a result – in Melchizedek’s Name I pray, amen.