227th Week, I Chronices Intro - Chapter 5 (Click on Title for Video Intro)

Click on Titled for Video Intro

Monday, I Chronicles Introduction

I Chronicles Intro 

Thoughts from Life Application Bible

Jeanie Boldt

THOUGHT

A family reunion — a sunny afternoon filled with four generations and miscellaneous kids, parents, and second cousins are important gatherings. These meetings are important, touching and connecting with other branches of the family tree, tracing one’s personal history back through time and culture, seeing physical reflections, remembering warm traditions. Knowing one’s genetic and relational path provides a sense of identity, heritage, and destiny. We SS have a great time when we get together for the annual Hall Reunion. The stories shared are full of fun memories.

It is with this same high purpose that the writer of Chronicles begins his unifying work with an extensive genealogy. He traces the roots of the nation in a literary family reunion from Adam onward, recounting its royal line and the loving plan of a personal God.

I and II Chronicles were originally one book. They summarize Israel’s history, emphasizing the Jewish people’s spiritual heritage in an attempt to unify the nation. I Chronicles begins with Adam followed with “Who’s Who” of Israel’s history with emphasis on David’s royal line. The rest of the book tells the story of David. The Author of the book is Ezra, and it was written approximately 430 BC recording events that occurred from about 1000-960BC.

As you read I Chronicles, trace your own godly heritage. Thank God for your spiritual forefathers, and recommit yourself to passing on God’s truth to the next generation.

PRAYER

I thank You, God, for my family that You chose for me.

Tuesday, II Chronicles Chapters 1&2

I Chronicles 1&2

Mindy Strayer

November 3, 2009

THOUGHT

The first two chapters of this book really only list names. There are not many names listed where a description is actually given to tell you anything about the person other than their name and who some of their relatives were.

The names we recognize tend to be the people in the Bible who had some of their life’s story told in some other book in the Bible. Most of the names I recalled were of people who had done great things for the Lord, were the father or son of a person who had done great things for the Lord, or a person or group of people who sinned greatly against the Lord. I thought it kind of interesting to read the names of some of the ancient rulers of regions. Names of people who at one point in history had great power and authority on the earth, but we read the names today, and they mean absolutely nothing to us. 

We never knew them of course, but God did. God knows every single person whose name is written down in these first two chapters. And, not only that, He knows every single person who has ever lived since the very beginning of time and continues to know every person who lives today and will live in the future. Our names and our life stories are being recorded as well, only in another book made by the Lord. If we love Jesus Christ with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength and are obedient to Him throughout our life, our names will be recorded in, “The Lamb’s Book of Life”.  Praise be to God, for that list of names will be a whole lot longer than the one in the book of Chronicles! 

PRAYER

Lord, thank You for choosing to know us, all of us, not just our names. We thank and praise You for giving us an identity that is wrapped up in Jesus Christ. Thank You for providing a written account of who You are and what You have done and are continuing to do in the lives of Your people. Thank You, Lord, for Your Faithfulness to us.  Continue to use us as You choose to bring glory to Your Name. In Jesus Name. AMEN

Wednesday, I Chronicles Chapter 3

I Chronicles 3 

Mindy Strayer

THOUGHT

Well, obviously there is no verse to draw from in this chapter in which I can write out a devotion.  Honestly, while reading the names of David’s many sons and his wives I just kept thinking about how much it bothers me that this man of God was married to multiple women. I know that there were reasons, but I don’t enjoy thinking about what they may have been. My prominent thought was, ‘there is no way in the world I would share Bart with another woman. NO WAY!!!’ So, what I took away after reading this chapter was just being extra grateful that I am married to a man of God whom I need not share with another. One man made for one woman, just how God intended. How special marriage truly is.

PRAYER

Lord, thank You for our spouses. We are so blessed to have them in our lives. Guide us in our relationships with them so that we would be a blessing to one another, and so our marriages would bring glory, honor, and praise to You. We love You, Lord. AMEN

Thursday, I Chronicles Chapter 4

I Chronicles 4 

Mindy Strayer 

THOUGHT

Two names that stuck out to me in this chapter were Jabez and Hezekiah. Jabez is one because it is so important for us to remember that it is the Lord who protects us. We are to rely on Him and trust in Him to keep us free from harm. I will talk more about Hezekiah, seeing as how a name, with some sort of description about it, seems to be of some significance.  I found it curious regarding a group of men’s names where the author of Chronicles mentions in verse 41 that they lived in the days when Hezekiah was king. The author mentions that these men were leaders of their clans.  Their families increased greatly.  The pasture was good and rich.  The land was spacious, peaceful, and quiet.  Oh, and they wiped out the Amalekites and other evil people. These are all good things right?! 

If you remember, Hezekiah was a good king who did what was good in the eyes of the Lord. I went back to 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles to read about Hezekiah. My Bible commentary says that he did the following:

1. He instigated civil and religious reforms. 

2. Hezekiah had a personal, growing relationship with God. 

3. He developed a powerful prayer life. 

If you read 2 Chronicles 30: 6—9, you will see that Hezekiah made his faith in the Lord known throughout his kingdom, and he encouraged the people to return to the Lord for themselves. It really does matter when our leaders love and follow the Lord with all of their heart, and have all of their trust and faith in Him. 

God blesses people and nations who love Him and love to serve Him. How important is it really for us to be in continuous prayer for the leaders of our own nation?  Things that we should pray about would be for the same strengths as Hezekiah possessed, a personal growing relationship with the Lord and a powerful prayer life.  Then we should pray that those traits in turn would lead to pursuing righteous laws and bills for our country to live by.

PRAYER

We lift up the name of the Lord today. We praise and thank Him because He is worthy.  We thank You for the freedoms that we enjoy in our home and The United States of America. We ask, oh God, for a spiritual revival in our nation.  May it start with the Church of Jesus.  Let it begin within our own hearts, a desire to become a more holy and pure people. Set a burden on our hearts to be in prayer for the leaders of our churches across this nation and also the political leaders who pursue and protect our rights and freedoms. Let them pursue righteousness. We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Our nation needs You, God, more than ever. We pray that as people turn towards You and give their lives to You, that You would heal this land and bring about true peace.  We pray that once again this nation would value God above all else. We love You, Lord.  AMEN

Friday, I Chronicles Chapter 5

I Chronicles 5

Verse 1

Heather Proehl

Verse 1:  The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, for he was the firstborn of Israel; but when he defiled his father’s marriage bed, his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel.

THOUGHT

That was the verse that stuck out to me. I understand that was a significant sin, but how often do we not consider the consequences of our sins?  I know to us some sins tend to be more significant than others, but in God’s eyes they are all equal. 

I think about those pilots who missed their landing in Minneapolis for whatever reason. (I don’t think we’ll ever know the whole truth).  The thing is they were fired, and I’m sure they’ll have a hard time finding another job. They ruined their career because of one mistake, one sin. Wow!  We need to consider the consequences of all our actions. It may not seem like a big deal to tell a little white lie, but the consequences could be devastating.

PRAYER

Lord, help us think before we act. Help us consider the words we are speaking before we speak. Lord, we pray that we will consider the consequences of our sins.  May that help us stop and not sin.  May we think through whatever temptation lies before us. AMEN