KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Saturday, April 29, 2017
Chapters: I Chronicles 7-10
Message: When Mercy Runs Out
Hello My Friend,
As much as we do and get away with over our lifetime we can truly understand the mercies of God. Yes, He can show His wrath, and let me tell you, He is not respecter of persons, if He chooses to use you as an example that shows it even with the littlest thing He will. Remember, Adam and Eve, they just disobeyed one command and look where we are today. I always say if God is going to use me as an example I rather it be to show His mercies than wrath. When you think about how patient God is and how much mercy He does have upon us, we can truly see how much He loves and only has our best interests in mind. “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;” – Psalms 103:2-4.
“Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;” Our salvation might save us from hell, but life here on earth is a constant battle, a spiritual battle that is. Whether it is something we did ourselves or the repercussions from someone else, we will always be fighting these battles until God takes us home or Jesus returns, our only weapon of defense is the Word of God. I Chronicles Chapter 7 lists the descendants of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher, not much information is given on these in their service to God, but they were trained for battle.
“Now the sons of Issachar were, Tola, and Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four. And the sons of Tola; Uzzi, and Rephaiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father’s house, to wit, of Tola: they were valiant men of might in their generations; whose number was in the days of David two and twenty thousand and six hundred. And the sons of Uzzi; Izrahiah: and the sons of Izrahiah; Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishiah, five: all of them chief men. And with them, by their generations, after the house of their fathers, were bands of soldiers for war, six and thirty thousand men: for they had many wives and sons. The sons of Asher; Imnah, and Isuah, and Ishuai, and Beriah, and Serah their sister. All these were the children of Asher, heads of their father’s house, choice and mighty men of valour, chief of the princes. And the number throughout the genealogy of them that were apt to the war and to battle was twenty and six thousand men.” – I Chronicles 7:1-4,30,40.
“they were valiant men of might in their generations;” Valiant, Brave; courageous; intrepid in danger; heroic. It really does take a brave soul to handle not only the spiritual battles of the world, but our own. We are our worst enemies sometimes as we wrestle with our own demons deep inside. Only by the power of Christ can we fight any battle, and let me tell you, He will not only give you the courage to fight, He will give you victory. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” – I Corinthians 15:57,58.
It was probable that Ezra, who came back to Israel after spending seventy years in captivity to Babylon, penned I Chronicles. There was a specific reason why God had him list the genealogies of Israel before anything else, this was a record log for the Jews to know where they came from upon their return. Chapter 8 lists the descendants of Saul, who were Benjamites.
“Now Benjamin begat Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, and Aharah the third, And these are the sons of Ehud: these are the heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Geba, and they removed them to Manahath: And Mikloth begat Shimeah. And these also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against them. And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal. And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers, and had many sons, and sons’ sons, an hundred and fifty. All these are of the sons of Benjamin.” – I Chronicles 8:1,6,32-33,40.
“And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers,” Valor, Strength of mind in regard to danger. It is the devil who messes with our minds and weakens our faith so we are powerless to fight even the smallest battle. It is the Holy Spirit in us that strengthens our mind as we read the word of God and pray. The more time we spend in prayer and the Bible the stronger our mind will become. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” – Hebrews 4:12-13.
Names are very important to God, He wants to make sure everyone knows where they come from and how special they are to Him, especially those who will be a part of His Kingdom. Chapter 9 lists the descendants that returned to Israel after being in Babylon for seventy years.
“So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression. Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims. And in Jerusalem dwelt of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim, and Manasseh; Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the children of Pharez the son of Judah. All these which were chosen to be porters in the gates were two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their set office. So they and their children had the oversight of the gates of the house of the LORD, namely, the house of the tabernacle, by wards.” – I Chronicles 9:1-4,22-23.
“the house of the tabernacle,” God does not choose the qualified to work for Him, He qualifies the chosen. Who are His chosen? Those saved by the blood of the lamb. We who have received Christ as our Saviour are chosen. Serving God is a choice, just as getting saved is a choice, it is all about choices, but it is only when we choose Christ that He chooses us. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” – John 15:16-19.
It is by the mercies of God that He keeps His promise to never leave nor forsake those who put faith and trust in Christ to save them from their sins, death, and hell. And while God’s mercy always endures, there does come a time when it runs out, even on the saved. Oh, God does not renounce their salvation, but He will send them home to Him before their time because they refuse to forsake their worldly lifestyles. The chronicle books focus specifically on the kings of Judah, chapter ten begins with the end of the reign of King Saul. God reminds us of the reasons why he was stripped of the crown and died such a painful death.
“Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. And the Philistines followed hard after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul. And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him, and he was wounded of the archers. Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise on the sword, and died. So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.” – I Chronicles 10:1-5,13,14.
“to enquire of it; And enquired not of the LORD:” When Samuel died and the war was great Saul found a psychic to bring up Samuel to find out his fate. Saul did try to talk God at that time, but he never humbled himself before Him, just wanted to know if he was going to survive. When we choose God, He wants complete devotion to only Him, not the world. Sure, there are doctors and other professionals that God uses to help us, but we must first humble ourselves to Him, all the skill, power, and wisdom in the world cannot replace God, He is the only one powerful enough to get through our human weaknesses. While Saul lost the throne and suffered for his sin, he did not end up in hell. Why? Saul believed God at one point in his life, he just got away from Him. This is a reminder to all who are saved, once saved always saved, even if you turn your back on God, it does not forfeit your salvation. It is your faith and trust in Jesus Christ that saved you, not your works. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:8-10.
Jesus Christ Magnified: Today, Christ is revealed through the soldiers, He became the first soldier to give His life to save all mankind. “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” – Hebrews 5:8,9.
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for giving us a way to escape the dreaded judgment placed on every soul who is born. We do not have to be good to be saved, we just have to believe that only Your Son can save us. It is so amazing and simple that all we need to do is receive Christ, yet so many people are still trying to work their way to heaven. Of course, you love the good that we do and will even bless us for it here on earth, but more than anything You love that we solely believe in and are trusting only Him to save us. Thank You Jesus! Lord, thank You for your mercy, for it is in Your mercy that I am not given the punishment I deserve, and there is nothing I can do that will change that. But I do not want to just get by in this life and do whatever I want because I know I am saved, I want to do what You want me to do. Lead me and guide me, give me Your power and wisdom to know Your will, and cover me with Your mercy and grace to follow through with is. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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