July 23, 2008
I
was talking to Janet the other day about the genealogies in the Bible and
decided to read through some of them. I've been sitting here and pondering my
reading today from God's Word (I'm reading 1 Chronicles). What are you trying to
teach me Lord? I don't seem to be quite getting it yet. How do I apply it to my
life? I know it’s important or it
wouldn't be in the Bible, but sometimes it seems dry and irrelevant.
Actually,
over the years, the more times I read through my Bible, the more important those
names began to become. They started to become real people and I can see where
they fit into the story of God and His redeeming grace. They're not really
boring at all; they just seem that way at times.
Having
said that I'll confess that the genealogies are still not my favorite parts of
scripture. I find it hard to do much with them other than fitting the pieces
together. That's okay because not very piece of Scripture has the same purpose.
It's all inspired. It's all useful but different verses fill different roles.
There is history, prophecy, law and wisdom.
There
are verses designed to teach us to draw closer to God or to warn us about the
dangers of drifting from Him. There are verses that simply tell us the story of
God's people and in doing so reveal His faithfulness even when His people were
not.
I
can't get as excited about lists of names as I can about the miracles, prophecy
or the biblical tales of intrigue and adventure. Somehow a “begat” pales
compared to the parting of the Red Sea or the raising of the Lazarus from the
dead.
Just
because I happen to find a passage less exciting than a different passage
doesn't take away from its value. This is after all God's Word. It's His love
letter to His people.
In
some ways the Scripture is a model for the church. You see, some parts of the
church seem less exciting or relevant to some people than others. Yet the whole
church is needed for God to work out the plan for His people. Some people have
up front highly visible roles. Others have positions that are never noticed. All
of them though are important.
We're
created as vessels to do His will.
2
Timothy 2:20-21 NIV
In a large house there are articles
not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble
purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he
will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and
prepared to do any good work.
It
doesn't matter if you're a vessel made of rare raw materials or of common stock.
We all have a purpose in God's kingdom and all those purposes are of value so
great that Jesus gave His life so that we could accomplish them.
People
talk about storing up treasures in heaven. What many don't realize is that God's
people are the treasures of heaven. If you're willing to use your gifts and
talents, no matter how small or insignificant YOU
think they are GOD values you as
a treasure of heaven.
Serve
where He calls you. Even if it's not exciting or glamorous, He knows the reason
it needs to be done.
Do
what God asks. He sees the big picture.
Don't
listen to what the world tells you. The world does not know the mind or purpose
of God. The world does not understand the truth that if you know Jesus you are a
child of the Most High God and a treasure worth more than all the gold in the
world.
Until
next time rejoice. There are no boring or worthless people in God's eyes. He has
a purpose for us all. God loves and values you more than you will ever know.
Be
blessed!
Darrel
Mason