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

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