which came first

Today in the One Year Bible, we read from Numbers 2:1-3:51. God chooses the Levites to be the holy ones who work in His tabernacle. And from the text, it doesn't sound like they had much choice in the matter.

When you read the account of the angel appearing to Mary and telling her that she is going to have Jesus, she doesn't appear to have much say in the matter, either.

That's because we operate within time. We think of God calling the Levites and the angel telling Mary about Jesus BEFORE they say that they're willing to do it. But God already knows their hearts. He knows what they are GOING to say. He is outside of time, and He can see their future obedience before He calls them.

He can see YOUR future obedience, too. And He's calling you to be holy, and to do His work, just like He called the Levites, and like He called Mary. He knows what you're going to say, but you still have a choice. Crazy, right?

Time is a tricky thing.

God, thanks for knowing what we'll say.... and for calling us to do Your work.