1 Chronicles: Making Our Name Count

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Monday, April 25, 2016
Chapters: 1 Chronicles 3-4
Message: 1 Chronicles: Making Our Name Count

Hello My Friend,

Name, that by which a person is called. Each one of our names has a meaning, interestingly enough most of them are of Hebrew or Greek origin. Sometimes our names can truly define us by their meaning, for instance Jesus means, Jehovah is generous or Jehovah saves, Christ means anointed, Jesus Christ is the anointed Son of God who saves all who believe in His finished work on the cross. Other times people make a name for us, and let me tell you, the world is cruel and will give you names according to how they see or perceive you. Loser, fat, whore, slut, geek, stupid, any of those ring a bell? You know, the second we are conceived we have a purpose and are given abilities and characteristics like no one else, we are unique, one of a kind, and precious to God. While we cannot choose our birth names, we can make a name for ourselves, no matter what circumstances. “A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.” - Ecclesiastes 7:1.

Since God created earth, He has been guiding His people, faithful men and women, to lead blessed and very prosperous lives through some very unusual circumstances. David’s name means friend of God. We are given great details of the lineage of David, mainly due to the fact that from this family, as concerning the flesh, Christ would descend. “Now these were the sons of David, which were born unto him in Hebron; the firstborn Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess: The third, Absalom the son of Maachah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur: the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith: The fifth, Shephatiah of Abital: the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife. These six were born unto him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years. And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel: Ibhar also, and Elishama, and Eliphelet, And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia, And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine. These were all the sons of David, beside the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister.” - 1 Chronicles 3:1-9.

“of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel:” It is interesting that up until this point Bathsheba was always known as the wife of Uriah the Hittite. The amazing thing we learn about this is that we are not bound to our past, God chastens, forgives, forgets, and uses every situation to fulfill a purpose for something great. Bathsheba, godly wife and mother to Solomon, would later be used to help Solomon get the throne after Adonijah tried to take it while David was sick. We all have a past, some good, some bad, some down right ugly, so, we live, we learn, and we grow, we do not let it control us, we take control of it. It is Jesus Christ who can turn our ugly past into something amazing. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:26-28.

In chapter 4 we are given further account of Judah, the most remarkable person in this chapter is Jabez. We are not told upon what account Jabez was more honorable than his brethren, but he was a godly, praying man. “The sons of Judah; Pharez, Hezron, and Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal. And Reaiah the son of Shobal begat Jahath; and Jahath begat Ahumai, and Lahad. These are the families of the Zorathites. And these were of the father of Etam; Jezreel, and Ishma, and Idbash: and the name of their sister was Hazelelponi: And Coz begat Anub, and Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum. And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.” - 1 Chronicles 4:1-3,8-10.

“Because I bare him with sorrow.” It was not uncommon for a person to have several names given to them over their lifetime due to whatever circumstances they endured. Jabez means sorrow, which meant his mother and perhaps even Jabez himself was going through some kind of affliction. Our names do not define who we are, we define who we are by how we deal with the circumstances we face. Jabez called on God to help him through that sorrow and He blessed him. We do not know how long Jabez asked God for His blessing, but we do know that God gave it to Him. We should all seek to be honorable, no matter what family or circumstance we are born into, it truly is the only way we can survive any situation that we are in. “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.” - 2 Timothy 2:19-21.

Chapter 4 also contains the lineage of Simeon, not much of an account is given to them. Most of the territory allotted to them by Joshua was forfeited when they, out of fear, refused to remove the Philistines who resided there at the time. Centuries later David claimed the land for Judah, then years later Hezekiah came in and forced them out of yet another town because they were into Baal worship.

“The sons of Simeon were, Nemuel, and Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, and Shaul: Shallum his son, Mibsam his son, Mishma his son. And at Bethmarcaboth, and Hazarsusim, and at Bethbirei, and at Shaaraim. These were their cities unto the reign of David. And their villages were, Etam, and Ain, Rimmon, and Tochen, and Ashan, five cities: And all their villages that were round about the same cities, unto Baal. These were their habitations, and their genealogy. These mentioned by their names were princes in their families: and the house of their fathers increased greatly. And they went to the entrance of Gedor, even unto the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks. And they found fat pasture and good, and the land was wide, and quiet, and peaceable; for they of Ham had dwelt there of old. And these written by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and smote their tents, and the habitations that were found there, and destroyed them utterly unto this day, and dwelt in their rooms: because there was pasture there for their flocks. And some of them, even of the sons of Simeon, five hundred men, went to mount Seir, having for their captains Pelatiah, and Neariah, and Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi. And they smote the rest of the Amalekites that were escaped, and dwelt there unto this day.” - 1 Chronicles 4:24,24,31-33,38-43.

“And these written by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah,” The tribe of Simeon never got very far or remained blessed because they never did anything for God. Our lives are what we make them, and a big part of that comes from Christ. If we omit God from our lives there will be constant struggles, much more imagined. You will often see this quote that says, “If you don’t believe in miracles, perhaps you forgotten you are one”. Do you now how many people frown at that quote, they cannot value life as being something precious? Today, it is not uncommon for the doctor to give an ultrasound or test to see if the baby will be born with some kind of birth defect or genetic disorder, and sadly many are aborted because they do not see that life in them as something precious, a miracle from God. Let me tell you, all life is precious, it does not matter what kind of disorder we have, each one of us is perfect because God made us. And by the way, the biggest disorder of all is ignorance.

“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.” - Psalms 139:14-18.

Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the genealogy of David. Jesus, who is the Son of God was also called the son of David. “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” - Matthew 1:1.

Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for giving me life and the life you have given me. Thank You also for eternal life and the great sacrifice You made that not only saves me from death and hell, but makes me one of Yours. It is amazing that with all the people born, You chose me, not only to be one of Your kids, but to represent You as well. It's not easy, I mess up all the time, yet, You still use me, You love me, and You never deny me as one of Yours. Lord, lead me and guide me, help me to overcome hindrances that keep me from the many blessings you have waiting for me as I grow closer to Jesus, and learning how to live my life through Him. I love you and ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

Are You 100% Sure You Are Going To Heaven?: http://godsprice.com/
Receive The KJB Daily Devotions In Your Email: http://eepurl.com/2WMzT
Missed A Message: http://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://imfollowingjesus.com/index.html
Like I'm Following Jesus On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byhisstrength
Copyright © 2016 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.