Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

22 April 2024

Reading From I Chronicles 1-2

“The son of Appaim:

Ishi, who was the father of Sheshan.

Sheshan was the father of Ahlai…

Sheshan had no sons—only daughters.

He had an Egyptian servant named Jarha. Sheshan gave his daughter in marriage to his servant Jarha, and she bore him Attai.”

–I Chronicles 2:31, 34

     The genealogical record found in the beginning of First Chronicles is the largest in the Bible.  It can be mind numbing to read the seemingly endless lists of names, but I need to remind myself that each name represents a real person and that every person has a unique story and place in the history of the world.  The family of Sheshan intrigues me.  He must have trusted his Egyptian servant and had a solid enough relationship with him if Sheshan approved of him marrying one of his daughters. 

     The Bible tells the stories of generations of wonderful, awful, imperfect, delightful, intriguing people in messy relationships and getting themselves into all kinds of interesting situations.  God takes these fascinating people and places and events and weaves them together to form a record of His intervention in and offer of redemption to humanity.  This offers hope to all of us because it shows how God can use anyone for their good and His glory. 

     Adam and Eve were created in His image and every successive human has tremendous value.  The Lord can shine His love through any diamond, no matter how rough.  The eternal family of God is made up of every person who has called upon the Name of the Lord in faith throughout all generations.  Our family is not limited by time or space and He is bringing us all together in unity to be a mighty temple for His glory! What an amazing family tree we have with Almighty God as our Heavenly Father.

“God, help me to love every person regardless of their family, background, ethnicity, gender or economic situation.  I pray that I will do my best to shine Your light to those around me no matter where they are at in life.  Thank You for Your love for me and for all mankind.  Amen.”

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

–Ephesians 3:20-21