November 16, 2010

1 Chronicles 7-8

Driving, or should I say parking, on the outer loop of Atlanta’s free way system, the interchange was jammed. Six lanes were going north and there was no movement. Six lanes were going south, and there was no movement. It took me about an hour to get out of the interchange. I was overwhelmed with the huge number of people in the city. I have no love for cities. I would go there to minister if the Lord made it clear, but I need clear direction. I get overwhelmed by the masses of people. There are just too many individuals. I cannot take it all in!

Hmm. . . what can one say about genealogies? Why does God put these in the Bible? What do I care about whose son was who? Maybe that is part of the point. Because I am finite, I cannot appreciate the tedious genealogies. But God is not finite. Because he is infinite, He can truly value each individual that is mentioned. So, these genealogies teach us that our infinite God really does care about us as finite individuals. They teach me that I am important to Him. That is pretty amazing. The God who created the masses of people is not overwhelmed by the masses. He still can relate to each of us an individual. He is not overwhelmed. Wow! Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today!

--Pastor john

Hebrews 11:20-40

Jesus is the One who blessed Jacob and Esau, even though they both held Him in contempt. It was because Jesus allowed Jacob to wrestle with Him that Jacob learned to worship and bless others rather than to trip them up. It was because of Jesus that Joseph was able to remain faithful even when encountering tremendous hardship. It was because of Jesus that the mother of Moses could hide him and see him raised in Pharaoh’s household. It was because of Jesus that Moses could choose affliction with the people of God rather than the pleasure of Pharaoh’s household. It was Jesus who delivered the nation of Israel from the bondage of Egypt and across the Red Sea. It was Jesus who made the walls of Jericho fall after the people of God encircled it 7 days. It was Jesus who turned Rahab, the harlot, into a woman of faith and purity and one of His own ancestors. It was Jesus who delivered the judges, David and the Prophets. It is because of the glory of Jesus that many have endured affliction, destitution, torment. They all do this because they see, through the eyes of faith, Jesus. Focusing on His glory is so key in our motivation. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John