Thurs.’s Devo - Geneology Part 2

Read: 1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4; Acts 24:1-27; Psalm 4:1-8; Proverbs 18:16-18
More genealogy!!! I loved reading about Caleb and his family, but I want to write about is David’s family. David had six sons from six different wives in seven and a half years while he lived in Hebron. That is a lot of babies all under the same roof! His firstborn is Amnon who grew up to be an impulsive self-centered man. He raped Tamar instead of marrying her and doing it right. We don’t hear anything about Daniel, his second-born but his third was Absalom who became his problem child who tried to usurp his kingdom.
David moved to Jerusalem when he was thirty-three and had four by Bathsheba and nine more with concubines. Solomon was the tenth son and the one God chose to wear the crown and carry on the kingly line. Next, we have the list of kings after Solomon. None of their other sons were mentioned until Josiah. Many times the sons of the kings were killed by the one taking the throne to stop any threats of a brother trying to usurp the throne. Josiah was a godly king even though his sons were not.
We all came from a genealogy and it is up to us to decide what we are going to pass on to the next generation.
In Acts, Paul’s accusers have made it to Rome and they are meeting with Felix, the governor. Paul’s accusers are the high priest Ananias, the one who testified against Jesus, his lawyer Tertullus, and other elders. Felix listened as they told of how Paul was an insurrectionist, a rebel and the leader of a cult. Then the governor asked Paul to give his defense. He sounded nothing like what they had accused him of. Paul’s defense was calm, truthful and respectful. He put Paul under the protection of a centurion and put him under house arrest giving him much liberty. He and his wife came to visit with him often to talk about his faith. He stayed this way for two years and when Felix was replaced by Festus, he was left in prison to please the Jews.
God had Paul right where he wanted him. Paul was the man he could place in prison and he would still faithfully proclaim the kingdom. Paul never complained about his lot in life, he counted every day a privilege to suffer or prosper for the Lord.
Lord, help us to see life the way Paul did…it is all for You.