King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: God's Kids
Date: Saturday April 28, 2012
Today's Chapters: 1 Chronicles 3-4

Hello My Friend,

While we are all capable of doing some wicked things, there are just some people who are plain wicked and no matter how much you try to find the good in them it will never happen. Why? God is the Creator of both the righteous and wicked, now, God Himself does not create the person to be wicked, He just allows their heart to be hardened and corrupted by Satan. It's kind of scary to think that a wicked person is brought into the world just to bring havoc on the righteous, but it's all done for one purpose and one purpose only. To bring God's children to Him.

“Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.” - Romans 9:21-26.

Since God created the world, He has been guiding His people, faithful men and women, to lead blessed, prosperous lives. Of all the families of Israel, none were so illustrious as David's mainly due to the fact that from this family, as concerning the flesh, Christ would descend from. Further account is given of the descendants of Judah, the most numerous and famous of all the tribes. “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.” - 1 Chronicles 3:1-4.

If you have learned anything about David's life he was the father of both righteous and wicked children, which all stemmed back to the to the women he married. Believe it or not, women play a big part in the influence of men, if a woman is wicked in her ways the child is more likely to be wicked as well. It is very important as Christian's that we marry a person who is not only a Christian, but a like minded Christian. It will save a lot of heartache for everyone. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?..Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” - 2 Corinthians 6:14,17,18.

The most remarkable person in this chapter is Jabez, we are not told much about him, but what we are told is that he was more honorable than his brothers and that his mother had him under difficult circumstances, instead of letting the circumstances control his fate he let God. “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 4:9,10.

Jabez put all his faith and trust in God, pretty much saying, “Not my will, but thy will be done.” Without much wording here you can see that if God granted Jabez's request that Jabez probably had a good relationship with God, praying daily, following His commands. If we set ourselves to acknowledge God in all our ways we put ourselves under His divine blessing and protection and will prosper accordingly. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. “ - Psalm 1:1-3.

According to law the first born son would be rightful heir to the blessings passed down from their father, but due to circumstances Reuben, the first born son of Israel (Jacob) forfeited his birthright and the blessing was actually passed all the way down to his second to last son, Joseph. While Judah became ruler of the tribes, Joseph or rather his son Manasseh received the birthright. However, while the Reubenites did forfeit their birthright to receive his fathers blessings God chose His righteous from that tribe also to be a part of His family.

“Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's:)...And they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, whom God destroyed before them. And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.” - 1 Chronicles 5:1,2,25,26.

The tribe of Reuben preferred to live in the rich, fertile lands across the Jordan, outside the promised land. They chose what seemingly would bring them success. However, with the river separating them from their kindred, the Reubenites were among the first tribes to be conquered and taken to Assyria. Today, the only way to be one of God's people is knowing Jesus Christ as their Savior. And while some never do more than receive Him, they are all still God's people. “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” - Titus 3:3-5.

All who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ are one of God's people, many, many people will wait until they are on their death bed before accepting Him, but as long as they, with the bottom of their heart, asked Jesus to save them they do not forfeit their birthright into the Kingdom of God. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” - Romans 5:8-10.

While we cannot avoid exposure to wicked people we can be at peace and know how to handle them through our relationship with Christ. Just in case you were wondering about those who are saved doing wicked things, they too are God's people. Those who receive Christ as their Savior are solely saved by the grace of God through Christ's death on the cross, not by any righteousness they have done. Just like biological a mother or father cannot technically deny their children for wrongs they have done, God does not deny His, they might have to face some chastening, but they will remain God's for eternity. “As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:36-39.

Today's Psalm: 107:8 - “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”

Today's Proverb: 20:11 - “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.”

Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for Your mercy and grace, without it I would never amount to very much. It is amazing that with all the people in the world 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 Your Son, and learning how to live my life through Him. I love you and ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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