April 12, 2020: SOAP #3783:  1Samuel 13; 1Chronicles 2-3; 2Corinthians 12

Scripture:  1Chronicles (NIV) 2:4 And Tamar his daughter in law bare him Pharez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five. 5 The sons of Pharez; Hezron, and Hamul. 6 And the sons of Zerah; Zimri, and Ethan, and Heman, and Calcol, and Dara: five of them in all.

Observation:  I quickly read over this boring chapter.  No story line and names I cannot pronounce.  Then the Holy Spirit began speaking to my heart.  What book am I reading?  The Spirit inspired Holy Bible—the Word of God!  How did these names get into this famous Book of books?

Their accomplishments are not listed, but their names are in the book along with Adam, the first man; Noah, who built the ark; Abraham, the father of the faith; Moses, the deliverer; Elijah and Elisha, the prophets; David and Solomon, the great kings of Israel; and Jesus, the Messiah.

The 130+ names in this chapter are there merely because they were born.  They were not included because of what they knew, what they had accomplished, or their wealth.

Application:  My heart was stirred as the Holy Spirit brought to my mind another book into which my name has been entered simply by my birth.  When I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, when His life entered me, I was born again, and my name was recorded in the Book of Life in heaven!  (Rev 21:27)

Prayer:  Jesus, what a change in my life when you forgave my sins and made me your dwelling place.  I have been born again!  Your resurrection life has brought new life to me and now my name is written in your Book of Life.  My life is yours.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!