KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Chapters: I Chronicles 3-5
Message: Precious To God
Hello My Friend,
When I was barely a teenager I took care of a baby boy, and he literally became like a son to me because his parents were quite the characters. We moved away and I could no longer take care of him, and within a week of his mothers care he died in his crib, the worst part, his body laid in the crib for days before it was found out. Over thirty years have passed and that remembrance still brings tears to my eyes, such a beautiful baby boy, and I could not save him from his own mother. When we witness things like this we often wonder how God allows a child to even be born under such circumstances. What I have come to learn over the years as a Christian is that every life is precious to God, from conception, after all He created all of us. And He takes care of us, even under the most horrendous conditions, I know God took that child home with Him so he would not have to suffer anything worse, I will see him again, and he will run up to me and give me the biggest hug when he sees me because he never forgot me either, he does not know the pain he went through after I left, all he remembers is that I loved and cared for him. Every life He creates is precious to Him. “My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” – Psalm 139:15-17.
Since God created the world, He has been guiding His people, faithful men and women, to lead blessed and very prosperous lives. Of all the families of Israel, none were more prosperous than David’s, mainly due to the fact that he was the kingly example they were to follow. David was not perfect, he got himself into trouble with God a few times, but God never gave up on him, and even used his family to be where His own Son would descend. David’s descendants are recorded.
“Now these were the sons of David, which were born unto him in Hebron; the firstborn Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess: The third, Absalom the son of Maachah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur: the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith: The fifth, Shephatiah of Abital: the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife. These six were born unto him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years. And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel: Ibhar also, and Elishama, and Eliphelet, And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia, And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine. These were all the sons of David, beside the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister.” – I Chronicles 3:1-9.
“These were all the sons of David, beside the sons of the concubines,” While David was a man after God’s heart, he had one downfall and that was what caused problems for him toward the end of his life, and that was his love for women. He married several women from all over the world, and Solomon was even worse. It was never in God’s will for these men to have several wives, one man for one woman, that is all that is in His will for marriage, whether it be ceremonious or common. “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;” – I Timothy 3:2.
“A bishop then must be blameless,” A bishop is another name for a pastor or preacher that would be the head of one of God’s churches. God requires the same obedience for all His people, not because they are under the law, but because it is precious to Him. Marriage is very precious to God because it is a vow to stay with that person through the good and the bad until the day they die, yet so many make a mockery of marriage as they are quick to marry and divorce at a moments notice. Every chapter in the Bible reveals something interesting, even if it is nothing, but names, God gives hints about certain people being more honorable than others. Now, the tribes of Israel (Jacob’s sons) themselves are being recognized beginning with Judah.
“The sons of Judah; Pharez, Hezron, and Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal. And Reaiah the son of Shobal begat Jahath; and Jahath begat Ahumai, and Lahad. These are the families of the Zorathites. And the sons of Helah were, Zereth, and Jezoar, and Ethnan. And Coz begat Anub, and Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum. And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.” – I Chronicles 4:1-2,7-10.
“The sons of Judah; Pharez,” If you read through the Book of Genesis you will discover that Judah was the least of the Godliest of the tribes, in fact, Pharez was the son of Judah’s daughter-in-law, of whom he got with to begin with because he thought she was a prostitute after he sent her home to live with her parents to wait for his youngest son to come of age before they could be married. Judah forgot about her, saw a woman one day with a veil on her face, and never knew who she was until after she gave birth to Parez, whose name means division. Interestingly, Parez has a twin brother Zarah who is not recognized in the genealogy. This proves that no matter what family we are born into, it is not our heritage that saves us or our righteousness, it is our faith in Jesus Christ, and that is precious to God. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” – I Corinthians 6:9-11.
We have to understand that our righteous is not what gets us to heaven, that while it is pleasing to God that we live in obedience to His Word it is our faith that saves us. The next tribes to be recognized are Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, who interestingly was given Reuben’s birthright. After the children of Israel reached the promise land you did not hear much about the tribes that stayed on the other side of the Jordan. Reuben was only recognized as being born of Jacob, God only recognizes him as being the first son because he had sexual relations with one of his father’s concubines, his birthright was given to Joseph’s sons by Jacob before he died.
“Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph’s:) And eastward he inhabited unto the entering in of the wilderness from the river Euphrates: because their cattle were multiplied in the land of Gilead. And in the days of Saul they made war with the Hagarites, who fell by their hand: and they dwelt in their tents throughout all the east land of Gilead. The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war. And they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab. And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him.” – I Chronicles 5:1-2,9-10,18-20.
“For Judah prevailed above his brethren,” There is really not much history given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, or Manasseh, apart from their brief victory as they joined forces, because they chose to stay away from the promised land, which made it easier for them to forget about God. These tribes were also the first to succumb to false god worship and be taken captive into Syria. You know, it is not God who moves and separates us from Him, it is people. As precious as every life is to Him, He cannot and will not force Himself upon anyone without their consent, if we are going to come to God, if we want to be saved from our sins, if we want help through our most difficult circumstances we need to come to Him. “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” – Luke 11:9-10.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “These were all the sons of David, beside the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister.” – I Chronicles 3:9.
Today’s Prayer: God, Throughout the years I often wondered why You put me in a certain place or brought certain people in my life, and I still do not understand some of it. What I do understand is that everything I have gone through, good and bad, has been used not for me, but for me to be a blessing to others and to glorify You. Lord, thank You for using me, continue to use me as You see fit, and give me Your power, love, mercy, grace, wisdom, and guidance to continue to be the loving, nurturing woman You made me to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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