“Solomon fathered Rehoboam, Rehoboam fathered Abijah, and Abijah fathered Asa. Asa fathered Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat fathered Joram, and Joram fathered Uzziah. Uzziah fathered Jotham, Jotham fathered Ahaz, and Ahaz fathered Hezekiah” (Matthew 1:7-9).
Take a look at this list. Many (most?) were bums who did not follow the way of the Lord. From the wisdom of Solomon to the folly of selfish worldly men who did as they pleased, the world moved on. Why do you wonder at the continual fall of Israel, or any people for that matter, when you see how easily we are corrupted? This journey of faith is not easy, for each of us continuously fall from grace and into sin.
Lord, I love to look at wicked people and say, “I’m glad I am not like them.” And then, I look in the mirror and encounter one who is equally a sinner. Except for Your grace, I too could be as wicked as the most wicked people who have ever walked upon the earth. Guide me in Your goodness to look to You, confess my sin, and humbly walk daily in the grace that You give me. In my family lineage, grant that I be one who is faithful.
Lord Jesus, it begins with Your call to each one of us to come and follow You. You know the path that is before us. You know the things that are needed. Guide me this day to humbly and simply do what You give me to do. May I be in constant prayer with You, listening to what the Holy Spirit is telling me and walking without a care of what the world thinks of what I am doing in accordance with Your purpose. Amen.
