164 - "The Annals of Eternity" 1 Chronicles 3-4, John 14

He had 19 sons.  

Some were a joy:  Solomon and Nathan (probably named after the mentor that changed his life, Natha).  

Some were a grief:  Absalom, Amnon, and Adonijah.  I Chron 3:3.  

And from this family came the Christ.  It seemed good to God.  

He uses broken people, you know.  

From one son Nathan came the Christ---hearts for God, no matter what.

From one son Solomon came kingdoms---17 descents in this family.

May our own years go down in the annals of Eternity.  

Doing what seems Good to God, for His Glory.

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers... Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!
Let your hand be with me,
and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. I Chron 4:9-10. 

Yes, the request was granted to an already honorable man---that God would intervene in a troubled man's life and reverse the painful conditions whatever they may be.  And we know, sometimes God does not reverse our conditions, for we must suffer through.

This prayer, not as lofty as most have heralded, is sandwiched in the midst of an ordinary listing. It makes alive the lives surrounding it. Makes it so personal. 

Father, I do not want to miss out on what you have as we roll through this life.  David has faced much opposition in his life already but it's about to come from his sons, now.  Nothing worse. Rejection.  Distance.  Misunderstandings.  All so hurtful.  May we find deeper love, fuller trust, greater grace.  

PHOTO:  Rolling through the Hill Country of Texas.  Oh! May we stop long enough to reflect on the Grace of Your Word.  Make our day fall into the annal of Eternity.