Devotion for Friday, January 19, 2024

“Hezekiah fathered Manasseh, Manasseh fathered Amon, and Amon fathered Josiah.  Josiah fathered Jeconiah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon” (Matthew 1:10-11).

Once again, the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Chronicles and Kings speak of the tenure of these kings.  There is a reason the Lord allowed the Israelites and Judah to be carried off into captivity.  The Lord was not trying to punish them so much as seeking to gain their attention.  What will it take to gain your attention so that you take seriously the faith you’ve been given.  Your hope is in the Lord, your Creator, Savior, and God.

Lord, how easy it is to shrug off history as boring and then turn right around and do the same dumb thing that leads to destruction.  This is the case presented by Scripture as we are told how the children of Abraham went about their business and ignored what You have taught us all.  I am no different.  Sometimes, in church, I may as well be in the place I am fantasizing about and give up my place to someone somewhere else who would desperately like to be in church, but cannot be.

Lord Jesus, You alone are the Savior of my soul.  You have come so that I may have life and have it abundantly.  I follow the path of those who have gone before me and become bogged down by the cares of this world.  Help me dear Lord to take seriously the gift You have given me so that I may walk the path of faith You have prepared.  Guide me in the Gospel way to live into the life You offer.  Amen.