July 9

1 Chronicles 7:1-8:40, Acts 27:1-20, Psalm 7:1-17, Proverbs 18:22



Pray: Let us ask the Holy Spirit to reveal more of God’s wisdom, direction and insight as we read the passages today. God can reveal Himself through the text as well. Let's ask for revelation, not just inspiration.

Read: Genealogies can be boring to many people. However, if we look closely there are strong insights revealed in this narrative in I Chronicles chapter 8. Let’s examine King Saul’s line, “…Saul was the father of Jonathan, Makishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal. Jonathan was the father of Merib-baal. Merib-baal was the father of Micah.” (vs. 33-34) One has to ask, “Who was Merib-baal?” 2 Samuel 4: 4 has a different name for Merib-baal. The text in 2 Samuel says, “Saul’s son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was a crippled as a child.” Later, King David would ask, due to his severe loyalty and appreciation for Jonathan, “Are there any descendants of Jonathan left?” Word came back that a crippled man named Mephibosheth was Jonathan’s crippled son. King David asked that he come and live in his palace with him, dine with him at his table, for David loved Jonathan and vowed that he would honor Jonathan’s descendants. This genealogy is far from boring, it reminds us that King David fulfilled his word and Mephibosheth was able to have a son, Micah. 

Edify: Paul is at sea and fierce winds are blowing the ship to possible destruction. Paul is honest and tells the crew how they might need to change course and that trouble was ahead of them. But they listened to the ship’s captain and ignored Paul. Sure enough the threat of shipwreck grew strong as the winds were dangerous. There is a sad line which concludes today’s OYB reading in verse 20, … “The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and stars, until at last all hope was gone.” Really? You have to wait until tomorrow’s reading but we know enough to know that if God wants Paul to preach in Rome then Paul will make it to Rome. God’s will shall be accomplished one way or another. You can count on that.

Practice: The psalmist gives us some indication that the wicked birth lies and their evil deeds will one day be found out and they will encounter God’s swift justice for their evil deeds. Their own wicked actions will return to them. Part of me wants to say, “Yes, way to go, God." Until I remember that there have been days in my life when I have been wayward, I have sinned and strayed far from God. Please Lord, is there any hope for me? We find it in these words from the Psalm 7:10, “God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right.”