Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

24 April 2024

Reading From I Chronicles 3-5

“These were the sons of David born to him in Hebron:

The firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel;

the second, Daniel the son of Abigail of Carmel;

the third, Absalom the son of Maakah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith;

the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

and the sixth, Ithream, by his wife Eglah.

These six were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven years and six months.

David reigned in Jerusalem thirty-three years, and these were the children born to him there:

Shammua, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon. These four were by Bathshebadaughter of Ammiel. There were also Ibhar, Elishua, Eliphelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet—nine in all. All these were the sons of David, besides his sons by his concubines. And Tamar was their sister.”

–I Chronicles 3:1-9

     Family trees are important for many reasons.  In the Scriptures, genealogies show us that God cares about every individual in His creation.  He doesn’t view the faithful of Israel or the Church or His Kingdom only as vague, faceless masses but as a family made up of unique persons each with their own stories with a connection to the greater whole.  God loves every person who has ever lived.  He doesn’t love or approve of some of the choices that they’ve made, but that doesn’t change His love.  Every person who calls upon His Name in faith is accepted by Him. History is a tapestry woven together with every strand an imperfect person used by a perfect God.

     You are not just another face in a crowd.  You are seen and you are loved.  Your story fits within a larger narrative and family lineage makes that connection.  Even if you have no knowledge of your biological parents or if your connection with your earthly family is rough at best, if you have decided to follow Jesus, then you are adopted into the eternal family of God and you know have a spiritual heritage that stretches all the way back to the days of the ancient prophets who wrote our Bible as they were divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit. 

     The eternal family of God is not limited by time or space.  Every follower of Almighty God who has been spiritually washed in the blood of Jesus connected by the Spirit to one another as adopted brothers and sisters with God as our Perfect Parent.  His purposes and blessings for individual members of His eternal family also bless earthly families, people groups and entire nations.  Imagine how your Holy Spirit-guided decisions will change your earthly family and your spiritual family’s stories.  Surrendering your will to God’s will dramatically impact your legacy to future generations!

“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your attention to detail.  What a magnificent God You are that You spin planets into orbit and yet every hair of every person’s head you’ve ever made is numbered.  You know me better than I know myself.  Thank You for Your love and care.  I pray that You will fill me up to overflowing with Your love and that I would share that love with others.  Guide my footsteps and show me the way forward.  May You change my family’s story through decisions You lead me to make.  Amen.”

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations

–Deuteronomy 7:9

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

–Romans 8:14-17