Read 1 Chronicles 3
Highlights:
David's family born in Hebron and Jerusalem; Solomon to Zedekiah; Judah's descendants. The conquest and captivity of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half tribe of Manasseh.
The tribe of Reuben preferred to live in the rich, fertile lands just outside the promised land (Num. 32). They chose what seemingly would bring them success. However, with the river separating them from their kindred, the Reubenites were among the first tribes to be conquered and taken as slaves to Assyria. The God of Israel stirred up the spirit of . . . Tilgath-pilneser King of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites (I Chr. 5:26). The prophecy of Reuben's father Jacob, thou shalt not excel (Gen. 49:4), truly came to pass; no one from the tribe of Reuben ever became a judge or a prophet.
How satisfying it is to yield oneself to God to be led onward in the path He has chosen! He uses the men and women who have prepared themselves to serve the Lord. He appoints one person to be a king, another to be a servant. Whatever God has chosen for us, in faith we should rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice (Phil. 4:4).
Because our calling is from God, there is nothing about which we should murmur or be proud, but there is much for which we can praise the Lord. Furthermore, there is no one of whom we should be jealous; other people's "advantages" have nothing to do with us. God always chooses His best for those who leave the choice with Him. So there is no need to think we have been cheated or have missed something. We can in every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (I Thess. 5:18). How devastating it would be to come to life's end, knowing the course we chose had been a self-serving detour from the path God chose. We have only one life to live and it will soon be past; only what's done for Christ will last.
We are always in danger of setting a limit to what we will do for Christ and His Church. Today God wants to use you as His vessel through whom He works in the ministry of the Gospel. Directly ahead lies a work that is immensely greater than that which lies behind. God is always ready to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think (Eph. 3:20).
All who seek . . . first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33) can say with the Apostle Paul: I count myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil 3:13-14).
Thought for Today:
Unto Thee will I cry, O Lord my Rock; be not silent to me: lest, if Thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit (Ps. 28:1).
Christ Revealed:
Through the genealogy of David (I Chr. 3:1-24). Christ the Son of God was also called the Son of David: The Book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David (Matt. 1:1; Luke 3:23-38; Rom. 1:3).
Word Studies:
3:9 concubines, a woman legitimately married to a man but inferior to the regular wife and excluded with her children from the heritage (Gen. 25:6). Concubines could be taken from among Hebrews, slaves, or war captives; 4:10 coast, beachfront, border of territory, boundary; 4:40 fat, rich, good; 5:11 over against, across from.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in memory of Henry Rogers • Government Officials: Rep. Frank LoBiondo (NJ) and Rep. Jared Polis (CO) • Country: Gambia (1 million) in West Africa • Major languages: English and Mandinka • Religious freedom • 87% Muslim; 10% animism and ancestral spirit worship; 2% Roman Catholic; .7% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Remember that prayer changes things (James 5:16-18).
Optional Reading: Romans 15
Memory Verse for the Week: 1 John 3:22
