God’s Promises are a sure thing . . .

 

I’m finding it hard to think about heaven with so many challenges of life right now. Family Reunion plans are tangled by crazy unreasonable prices in the venue we hoped for. A family member is making bad choices. The news in the world is almost all bad and distressful. However, God encourages me. Some problems have options that His will allows, and others are covered by His promises even if they stay as they are. This is His Word today:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith — more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire — may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:3–7)

This was written when Christians would not worship the emperor or be involved in pagan practices so were suspicious and discredited. Peter wanted to encourage them to live in faith during persecution, just as Jesus had done when He suffered unjustly:

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:21–23)

My inheritance is “reserved” meaning it already exists, is protected now and forever. It is in heaven where “neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal” and where “nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” This is the safest possible place.

The part that encourages me is that not only is my inheritance protected, but I am also protected for it. The power of God is continually protecting me until His work is fully accomplished in my life. Then I will be glorified in the fullness of this salvation He graciously gave me.

PRAY: I’m thankful to You Jesus, for You protect me from sin and death and keep me in Your care no matter what happens. I’m not enjoying some of the unpleasant events of life, yet they are a moment compared to the everlasting glory of being with You for eternity. Help me smile at the size of my God rather than frown at the size of my problems.

PONDER: Romans 8:31–39; Philippians 1:6; and Jude 24 and praise God for the security that is mine in Jesus Christ.

 

 

Joy in reading Genealogies?

READ 1 Chronicles 1–5

Yesterday felt like a climax to two difficult weeks. The temperature outside was dismal, but we needed groceries and another item, so out I went, thankful for a remote starter and a vehicle with a heater made for Siberia. The entire trip was amazing. Heavy traffic, but all green lights and whenever I needed space to merge, etc. there were no cars even close. I uttered thanks to God over and over, even for parking spaces near the door in crowded lots.

Today’s reading says that 1 Chronicles was probably written to reassure the returned exiles of God’s faithfulness toward his people. After yesterday, it is not difficult to realize how some of them may have felt about that reassurance. However, all five chapters are filled with names. Genealogies are easy to skim, mostly meaningless to modern readers. Yet I asked for daily bread and God fed my mind with a few encouraging thoughts.

From this passage, I see that just as their kings lived and died, so will our political leaders. Those that wage war and promote havoc in my world will pass on and others take their place:

These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the people of Israel: Bela the son of Beor . . . . Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place. Jobab died, and Husham . . . reigned in his place. (1 Chronicles 1:43–45)

So don’t fret about the upsetting politics and seemingly insane decisions happening right now. This too shall pass.

Years ago, someone did a genealogy of two couples. One couple were criminals and for generations, their children followed that path, many dying in disgrace. The other couple were Christians who feared God. Their offspring included statesmen, college professors, doctors, and other leaders who benefited their communities. A general reading of these chapters in 1 Chronicles gives the same sense of many notable offspring in the family of God, even if only a few are singled out:

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked. (4:9–10)

Others were named and called “princes in their clans” meaning leaders, and saying of them: “their fathers’ houses increased greatly” because they journeyed “to seek pasture for their flocks, where they found rich, good pasture, and the land was very broad, quiet, and peaceful . . . .” (4:38–40)

Other leaders were mentioned for “defeating the remnant of the Amalekites who had escaped” and taking over their land (4:42–43) and for multiplied livestock, defeating enemies and living well. It was said that they “cried out to God in the battle, and he granted their urgent plea because they trusted in him.” (5:9–20)

Not all of them were heads of their fathers’ houses, mighty warriors, or famous men for some “broke faith with the God of their fathers, and whored after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them.” For this, “the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, the spirit of Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and he took them into exile.” (5:24–26)

Today I woke without ambition or a desire to get up. I sang, thanked God again for yesterday’s blessings, but still felt listless. However, reading this big picture review of OT history and the names of hundreds of people reminds me of God’s sovereign care and that He keeps track. My name is in His book of life.

Also, doing His will is important, even if at times I cannot see why. He will hear and answer my prayers and keep me from harm. He will also walk me through even the most dull chores on my to-do list. He can even give me joy in the doing, a joy that I already sense bubbling up because I know He is writing down who I am and what I do — because I am one of His forever family and for reasons I do not know, even the smallest steps of obedience are important to Him.

Lord, one day I will meet all those people named in 1 Chronicles 1–5 and we will praise You together with boundless joy. That thought also adds another reason to be enthusiastic about serving You this chilly Wednesday.