So Good to Be Alive

1 Chronicles: 14:1

And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel.

When Anthony Bourdain’s travel and food show ‘No Reservations’ featured going back to Cambodia, it felt like time warping with him. Only mine landed two years prior his episode for my sister-in-law’s wedding, while his interview with the locals moved him to Pol Pot’s massive massacre thirty plus years ago.  It was heartbreaking to see that those ruins saw the death of 1.7 million able and promising Khmers. The Rouge saw to it that their history records were all burned as well. It was an episode less appetizing, but with more heart to it. The simple dish prepared by the farmer’s family was probably the tastiest of all considering what they went through to survive. It made the world’s vanities fade into background - - so pale compared the truth of Bourdain’s closing words: ‘It’s (just) good to be alive.’ 

If we’ll time warp to Jerusalem at the time of this chapter’s writing, we’d probably see the remnants clueless on how to rebuild their once-great nation. As seventy-year-captives, they were more used to servitude and low self esteem. Like those ruins, they were broken too. Settling down was a big pill to swallow, almost difficult to grasp. T’was heartbreaking to see them pick up their puzzle pieces. God, feeling their fragile state, moved His chronicler to copy-paste two verses in David’s early life as king. First, He wanted them to see that He who provided David with the building materials for Zion from King Hiram of Tyre, is the same God who worked in the decrees of kings Cyrus and Darius to fully cover their expense. Imagine your empty pockets filled up with royal treasuries. It was overwhelming. But as always with God, it’s not done until you’re bursting with praise. He added the beautiful truth that David’s establishment as king and the kingdom’s exalted spot in history were for this reason: it was for the sake of His people. “US?!”  They sure stared at the chronicler in disbelief. God’s love seemed distant in a foreign land. But now that they’re back in their homeland, it all made sense. It’s undeniably grace. What others saw as ruins, they see home. What others called pitiful, they call life. Others may belittle their history, but they believe that hope was alive.

We were heartbroken hearing the news last week that my ninong was missing. As chief cook in a seafaring vessel, his work included inspecting galleys for storage and cleanliness. His last chat with his wife points to his going there. They found him gone the following morning. Initial investigations said he might have accidentally fallen off. It was shattering news. We were crying for days, pleading for a miracle. Our hope is in the God who can bring him back home. But if He chooses not to, if our ninong’s already home in His comfort, then we will hope that the dark ruins in his family’s life today will soon meet His gracious provision to rise anew. That though others may expect it as void, they’ll experience His fill. That although God took him away, they’ll praise Him still because he was first given to them. Our hope for a beautiful future can be traced back to the time that God established David’s Branch and exalted Him above the nations.  It was because of His love for us, His people, that Jesus came to live. He is the One reason why we can look forward to life. He makes the world’s vanities fade into background - - so pale compared to His words that gives eternal life.  Oh, it’s just so good that God is alive!

Even With Good Intentions

1 Chronicles 13:3

Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul.

My 5 year old boy is a dino-fanatic. Bring him to a toystore and he’ll surely go straight to that rack of miniatures.  Bring him to a bookstore, like last weekend at MV Logos, and he’ll choose anything –saurus to take home. But if you don’t bring him out of the house, he still has his day full with dino-activities. From K’nex to clay to straws to crackers - - all are dino-shaped here. Those DVDS really stretched his imagination. His latest fave was the Jurassic trilogy. He knows each scene and line by heart. I watch with him every so often, and yes, I found a favorite too. It was that conversation in the third instalment when Dr. Grant discovered that Billy stole two raptor eggs. Billy said, ‘You have to believe me, this was a stupid decision but I did it with the best intentions’. And Dr. Grant answered, ‘With the best intentions? Some of the worst things imaginable have been done with the best intentions.’ And in anger, those eggs nearly went into the river.

 It was with the best intentions that David plotted out the Ark of the Covenant’s return to Jerusalem. It has long been in Abinadab’s house on the hill since the time of Samuel. The ark symbolizes the presence of God and in it, the tablets given to Moses. As newly appointed king over Israel, and with a heart after God’s own, he knew that Israel’s stability is dependent solely on God’s favour. He wanted to give God the centerstage. He wanted it to be the best celebration ever. He sent word far and wide to all Israel and everyone came with shouts of praise. As the cart carrying the ark came to the threshing floor in Kidon, the oxen stumbled and a man reached out his hand to steady the ark. God saw Uzzah as irreverent and His wrath struck him down dead. I can imagine the sudden silence of everyone there. David was initially angry, maybe from not understanding the rebuke of God amidst this worship time. It’s like how we become angry at God for our sufferings when we’ve been trying to serve Him all our lives.  Next we see David shifting from anger to fear. He realized God was serious in keeping His holiness; that He is set apart from His creation. The ark was then set aside in the house of the Gittites for three months. David used that time to thoroughly check what really went wrong. He soon realized that his good intentions lacked God’s right instructions. Or in our words, the end nor the intent, doesn’t justify the means. 

Again, the context of Chronicles was for the remnants to learn from their past and move on to a future of being God’s nation again. Given the go signal by the Persian king to rebuild the Temple, their eyes were hopeful and their hearts burning to see the worship of God restored in Israel. God chose this portion of history to remind them that although it is for His honor, it shouldn’t be unaccompanied by holy fear.  It’s ironic how the verse above spoke of Saul not inquiring of God, but David missing the mark too. It’s us trying to reach the godless or doing pious projects, without soaking it first in prayer, or worse, with sins unconfessed. If His instruction was to circle the answer and you underlined it, will you call Him unfair for your failing grade? As a relational God, do you think He’s more impressed with your bright answers than you following His instructions?  So, have you asked Him today for His latest direction? His words may be unchangeable, but the verses there are not meant to be templates for your choosing. He chooses His words for you. Imagine what you’re missing out when you’re still holding on to last year’s ‘wait’ because you failed to hear His GO this morning. What more the disaster every time we GO without first waiting on Him. Gandhi once said: ‘Before the throne of the Almighty, man will be judged not by his acts but by his intentions. For God alone reads our hearts’. Now we know God judges both.  

As Promised

1 Chronicles 12:22

Day after day men came to help David, until he had a great army, like the army of God.

In our Ladies Bible Study last Wednesday, after viewing Brooklyn Tabernacle’s prayer-themed DVD, we were asked to share an experience where we held on to a Scripture-promise ‘til we saw God faithfully answering it.  One beautiful mother shared about how his only son was in and out of the hospital, almost monthly and for ten years at least, and the only verse she kept reminding God was His’ knitting together a child in a mother’s womb in Psalm 139. That what the doctors can’t seem to puzzle-fit, as Creator, He knew full well. In one of their last sessions, God gave her another verse, this time in Jeremiah: ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’  It was God’s specific answer that He KNEW her son. She was surprised though, that the second part says he would become a leader. With his son in bed and weak from those sick-years, she said, that’s unimaginable. But she knew better than trust her sights. They’ve never been admitted again for a year now, praise God. As for the second half of the verse, that’s something she said is worth-waiting-and-watching for. 

If David was to look at today’s chapter, and we would ask him the same question we were asked last Wednesday, what would probably first pop in his mind was God’s answer to his Psalm 142 prayer. He would recall how he wrote that song while he was in the cave, a fugitive and alone. Phrases like, ‘my spirit grows faint within me’, ‘no one cares for my life’, ‘my enemies are too strong for me’ really sums up his desperate state. He wasn’t really alone though. But those around him were said to be four hundred men in distress or in debt or discontented. That’s worse for a leader than being alone! But he ended his prayer with faith, that soon, righteous will gather around him because of the Lord’s goodness. And seeing the list of mighty men here in this chapter, (I computed it an estimate of 337,100, some with the description of people under their command), who turned Saul’s kingdom over to him, I’m sure he was more than overwhelmed with praise.  There’s not even a hint of his unpromising four hundred anymore. The timeline from Ziklag to Hebron was around 1 year and four months, plus another seven years and six months before the fulfilment of God’s promise that he will be king of all Israel. Seeing all these men gathered around him claiming God's promise was what he exactly prayed in that cave. Seeing God’s faithfulness in keeping His Word was his new song that day.

Your turn. Ever had that pit-depth, pitiful time where you just had His promise to cling on to? How did He answer your prayers? Were others around you able to witness and share in His goodness because of your loud praise? Today can be that day. Or maybe you’re still amidst your deep waters, breathless and cold. Will His names Redeemer, Refuge and Restorer convince you that He is all that you need? Will His words  ‘I will never leave you’, ‘I care for you’, ‘I will give you rest’ prove His heart is for you? ‘Call to me and I will answer you’, God said in Jeremiah. A lot already had and were filled. I myself have my own share of Psalm 142 and His answer was more than I could ask or imagine. Today can be your turn. And in time, in faith, we will soon gather around you because of the Lord’s goodness. God assures you, He is worth-waiting-and-watching for!

January Jitters

1 Chronicles 11:10

These were the chiefs of David's mighty men--they, together with all Israel, gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the LORD had promised.

We’re just on the third week of this new year and it seems some have already lost the glitz and joy of the season.  Highlighted by the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Corona, which started Monday, lawyers fear that this scrutiny, implying an undermining of the judiciary system, is endangering the country’s democracy. The back-fence talk that the president is shifting to dictatorship brings much distress especially because we feel we’ve just been there. Ironically though, such proceeding also surfaces the fact that the people’s power will make sure freedom and justice is kept. The Senate president promised that. They knew we will be watchful. We have our history to back us up.

From seventy years of exile to claiming back their homeland, we can imagine the hopes of the remnants. They probably can’t stop praising God for how He worked in the heart of King Cyrus to make them free. When they reached Zion, after settling in the towns, first on their list was what they long ago neglected: the Temple of God. Upon laying its foundations, it is said that there was mix of joyful shouts and loud weeping. The crying was from those old people who’ve seen its former glory. They knew it will take a lot of hard work to build their nation anew. With the Samaritans also occupying the land, oppositions were expected. God’s grace moved the chronicler to write chapter eleven at this time. It was the account of how the mighty David rose to power because of Israel’s support and his mighty men behind him, fighting alongside him. It features impossible exploits of individuals and God’s victory through them. Verse 9 wrote: ‘David became more and more powerful, because the Lord Almighty was with him’. The remnants needed to hear that part of history to strengthen their hopes and hold on to their faith. They needed to realize that the city of David became great not because of one bold man but because the people stood united and strong behind him, and foremost because God was with them.

How was your first three weeks so far?  Are you already tired, discouraged and overwhelmed? Is the thought that there’s eleven more months to your rough routine and with that difficult person enough for you to shout out that life sucks?  Well, it isn’t the first time, and you’re not the only one that road. Last year may have hit you hard and seeing January not promising either doesn’t mean it couldn’t go better. David is proof that God can raise one mere shepherd to the throne. Israel’s history is witness that battles can be won even against giants and empires. Our country survived despite leadership flaws and amidst crisis and floods. Romans 15:4 says: ‘For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.’ If we choose to put our trust in Him, He can fill us with joy and peace each day this year. We can have His strength to pursue impossible exploits and be one with our leaders in winning them. There is so much to look forward to this year. And God will make sure it will all end in praise. Happy 2012!

Whose Right?

1 Chronicles 10:13

Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance.

When the Declaration of Human Rights was drafted then adopted by the United Nations in 1948, it was in the hope that world wars would never happen again. It’s a vow to protect and promote man’s fundamental freedom, without discrimination. Yes, we have right to life, equality before the law, freedom of expression, the rights to work, social security and education, but alongside these is the obligation to respect it in relation to others. That’s why they called it interdependent. It’s like my kids mutual agreement to follow a schedule so that they’d not end up fighting for it’s-my-turn-this time. But like adults, they transgressed those lines, found ways to outsmart the other, cry louder if necessary - - but never to fight for another’s rights. It’s always to serve their own.

After establishing Israel’s lineage, the chronicler in chapter 10 began to retell specific fragments of their history to guide the remnants in rebuilding their nation. Seventy years in exile was something no one would want to go through again. They had to make it right this time. But before they could draft their hopes, it is necessary to first identify the faultline. Two verses unite for the answer: unfaithfulness. The word used was ma’al, or the sin of transgression. It is a breach of trust, an invasion of rights, a violation of God’s holiness.  It is used of Achan when he kept the forbidden spoils; of Ahaz when he promoted idolatry; and here of Saul, when he consulted a medium instead of God.  In bringing them back to Saul’s timeline, the chronicler’s intention was to orient them of God’s right. Yes, God’s right! As Creator and Lord, their allegiance and praise should all be due Him. It’s written in their Law, with benefits and obligations. The decades they suffered in Babylon were because their kings breached that contract. In pride, they pursued their own rights to beliefs and enjoyment. It may seem interdependent because of majority votes, but it still was independence. Achan, Ahaz and Saul died for that right. And they were so wrong.

We all want to be heard, to express ourselves, to fight for our freedom. We demand it as our rights and will call everyone to rally behind us. We have the transgenders and gays plead for their claim to identity; womanizers and adulterers saying they’re entitled to happiness (and privacy); avengers and rebels calling it their shouts for justice. They may feel it’s right for them, but is it right for all? Is it right at all? Have they considered their parents’ disappointments, their partners’ heartbreaks, the families they left in ruins? And they want equality? We have no perfect, earthly system to serve all claims. But praise God for His Word we have a standard for life and rights. Truth is, life not all about you. It is never about one’s happiness, or safety, or career path, or marriage. Life is about God. It’s His exclusive right. Fight for His honor and glory and He will make sure you’ll experience His goodness and abundance. Fight against His will and holiness, and your transgression will meet His wrath and justice. Your choice. Would you rather be an independent, sin-slave, or a God-dependent, rightful child?  

What’s Your Alibi?

1 Chronicles 9:33

Those who were musicians, heads of Levite families, stayed in the rooms of the temple and were exempt from other duties because they were responsible for the work day and night.

Given a chance to time travel, most of us would probably choose our teenage years to go back to. Marked with fun, friends, and freedom, t’was all benefits without much responsibilities, yet. And the little we’re assigned to, say chores, validated our idea that staying home was b-o-r-i-n-g, and our parents, killjoys. We all had our shares of schemes to escape their snares. My excuse of piano practice was a triumph over dishwashing. Yours probably ranges from studying-for-an-exam-tomorrow to not-feeling-well to i-swear-i-didn’t-hear-you-call. We had a great laugh with our peers thinking those wits prevailed. Now we know better that it wasn’t our parents' loss at all, nor were they ever clueless to those lame alibis. 

If there’s a temple task which probably was most unpopular to young Levites in biblical times, it was the gatekeeper’s job.  More like today’s security guards, the assignment calls for one to man the entrance-exit doors, makes sure no one or nothing unclean comes in, and nothing valuable goes out. You’re up all night as watchman, and first to wake up for the keys. Yours is the prelude and the postlude, but never the main thing. All the important happenings are inside, and you can’t participate, can’t even peek. You’d wish you’re a musician instead. Their place is always on the forefront, if not upstage. Their task seems more like a hobby than a job. And hear this: they’re exempt from all temple duties! No inventories, no cleaning stuff. I know the feeling. As a non-singer in Windsong, my tasks in a concert is setting up tables, carrying big, dirty CD boxes, and manning the booth. It’s nothing ‘glorious’ compared to my friends in their make ups and costumes, and be congratulated after. But their exemption from menial tasks is not because God granted them a special pass of excuse. Musicians were exempt in one because they were responsible for another. They too had to work day and night.  It may seem flawless on stage, but it came from years of training and discipline rods.  They may look very privileged to sing praises in the very presence of God, but have we considered the weight of maintaining such high, righteous standards?

When David uttered ‘I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked’, he wasn’t referring to a positional task in extreme low compared to his kingly post.  What he was saying was anywhere, even that outside the temple, is THE better place because God is in it. In verse 20, a man named Phinehas was mentioned as in charge of the gatekeepers and that ‘the Lord was with him’.  Let us realize then, that whatever God assigned us to do, the prominence ingredient is not our side of the work, but God taking His place. In His kingdom, He measures our worth not by our occupational profession but on our profession of faith in Christ. To that, no pride nor poverty can serve as an excuse. He may exempt you, but He will not exclude you. No post is nearer to God. That’s no alibi. You may just have chosen to walk farther away.  

Courageous

1 Chronicles 7:40

All these were descendants of Asher--heads of families, choice men, brave warriors and outstanding leaders. The number of men ready for battle, as listed in their genealogy, was 26,000.

Courageous. The word sounds big and heroic. Top of mind would be firefighters. But since Sherwood Pictures already used them in the other movie, next in line turned out to be their better option: Albany’s police officers. They were men risking their lives against society’s worst. Men who were always on the watch, always on the run. What is most moving in the film was their shift from being mere policemen to becoming family protectors, that is, from extreme action to everyday actions.  An ethics site calls it moral courage, or courage demonstrated when the right thing is done, especially when others looked away or chose to do nothing. It’s when these fathers decided to be role models to their children – in faith and integrity. Like their work, the commitment requires them to be on call, meaning, ready and courageous at each call.  

Chapter seven of Chronicles was a continuation of Israel’s long list of names. Here we have the lineage of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher. It still has that drone music feel with its father and son lines, but what is noteworthy was the seemingly chorus part found in verses four, eleven, and forty:  ‘They had men ready for battle’.  From Egypt to Canaan, they needed these men to preserve the twelve tribes and fight against the pre-inhabitants of the promise land. During the time of the judges, priests and kings, they were called upon to protect everyone from neighboring countries seeking conquest. Fast forward to the time of Nehemiah, these were men who were rebuilding the walls with one hand and held a weapon in the other.  They were the dependable, courageous men of Israel. They were expected to be role models. To do the right things even when others looked away or did nothing. Sadly, these men lowered their weapons and left their watch. They realized too late that t’was not with able bodies alone that they were called men of courage. When the Assyrians and Babylonians came, it was an easy sweep because the supposedly-heroes were so drunk in sin. They may look ready for battle, but they weren’t ready at all.  

According to the movie, research shows that on the increase of dropouts, kids on drugs, and teens in prison, in almost every case, each had a similar attribute: most of them came from a fatherless home. We know that it doesn’t just mean the physical absence of the leader, but when that leadership is not found. It’s when the Adams stand silent while Eves approach the tree, or when the Davids walk around the rooftop instead of fighting those battles. To us women, as much as we want our men to be courageous, or at least watch the movie, please realize we just couldn’t decide for them. Not by nagging especially. The most we can do is what Aaron and Hur did when Moses’ hands grew tired and could no longer hold it up against the Amalekites: they found a stone for him to sit on and supported his hands until sundown. Let’s pray for their battles. It’s not easy to be a man. They’re called to be strong and very courageous. But men, please remember that the remaining of the verse does not talk about being action figures. It says be careful to obey God’s word and you will be successful in everything you do. That’s what courageous really looks like: fighting alongside God’s honor and giving Him the win. Nothing’s more manly than that!

Sad Songs

1 Chronicles 6:33

Here are the men who served, together with their sons: From the Kohathites: Heman, the musician, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel.

Ever had a friend who speaks depressed all the time?  Given a choice, most of us would rather not hang around them, right? Sure we’d give them a day, but just not daily. Visiting their black hole is draining. It’s a no-laughter, don’t-tell-me-about-the-good-life zone. They have it all un-sorted and they seem to plan to keep it that way. Mine don’t listen, although he said he was. But on our next hellos, guess what? Yup,  more like a recorded conversation. I usually run for a breather every after our helpless time together. Otherwise, look, I’m sounding more like him - - dragging you down-depressed here :<

Psalm 88 was said to be the saddest psalm of all. Although there were other psalms who shared negative tones with it, but the rest ended in hope. This psalm ended in darkness still.  It was penned by Heman, one of David’s three chief musicians. But why would David choose such a man to lead in worship? As Samuel’s grandson, Heman had unfaithfulness in his immediate bloodline. His father’s bribery and injustice was what caused Israel to ask for a king, rejecting God’s leadership through the Levites since then. And this man had been nursing an affliction since his youth. He may be skillful musically, but downstage - his whole life was in despair. His song being included in the book meant God allowed his pain to be sung by all. Unimagineable! All the while I’ve embraced the idea that no king would ever allow long faces in his presence. But David, and God, accepted him. He was even a king’s seer. Some say, although not scholars all agree, that he was the same Heman whose wisdom was second to Solomon’s. True or not, what’s noteworthy was his persevering faithfulness and the excellence he applied to his tasks, despite the depression. He may have lost all friends prior and during his lifetime of lows, yet he never lost faith in God, whose ears are not deaf to tears or sad songs.    

I guess this truth is for us who, in one way or another, were first to give up on our depressed friends. We rebuked them for not trying and yet we’re sharing that ground with them. Love’s language is not always through words or wrapped solutions. Heman survived life not because God answered his prayers. God chose silence, but He made sure Heman felt His presence. He used a man familiar with loneliness and long nights to inspire him.  In singing David’s song, Heman realized God accepts sad songs too. And so he wrote his own. It may not sound like glee, but his song continued to hit. Now he’s paying it forward - - to us, who are in despair modes and heavy tones. Listen as he now plays your intro. God’s all-set to hear you too. You may sing anytime you're ready...

Far From Home

1 Chronicles 5:18, 25

The Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 men ready for military service--able-bodied men who could handle shield and sword, who could use a bow, and who were trained for battle. But they were unfaithful to the God of their fathers and prostituted themselves to the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them.

It is now a common thing for Filipino homes to have at least one relative abroad. Pushed by the scarcity during and after the Martial Law years, the skilled and believed-smarter ones thought best to leave our homeland for greener pastures. Who would blame them? They’re even regarded as today’s heroes - -mainly because every dollar they send not just eased our family lives, but the general economy as well.  Most of them not just survived the perils of foreign land, they succeeded in leaps thus the decision to settle there. What they do not usually admit is that it isn’t always green in winterland. Filipinos in the diaspora are often faced with depression, discrimination, and real danger. There, many realize that money, though changes everything, isn’t everything.

When the Reubenites and the Gadites first saw the Transjordan area, they immediately were drawn to its green, well-watered soil. Many say it’s the best rural scenery in Southern Syria.  Seeing it suitable for their large number and livestock, they asked Moses for it to be their inheritance. God allowed it, provided that they will continue to help their brothers claim the promise land. They kept their word then went back to their chosen land to settle. There they trained themselves to become great warriors and they grew famous. The Bible made sure to note that it was because they prayed and trusted in God, and it was He who won the battles for them.  But like Lot choosing the plains of Jordan for its richness despite living alongside Sodom, the two tribes and the half of Manasseh’s were exposed to pagan cultures surrounding them.  And like Lot’s wife turning towards Sodom saltily consumed her, the Transjordan tribe’s compromise brought them into Assyrian exile. If only they realized early on that it wasn’t their skills, nor the soil, that’s blessing them richly, then, their chosen land could have really been a promising land. 

We all want our lives to be better, best if possible. Lining down our priorities, there’s our family’s health and comfort, our kids education, our own career paths, our retirement and our parents’, and a lot others. Next question will be the means toward those ends. That’s why OFWs happened. They sought fertile soils, sometimes at the expense of family separation and their physical exhaustion caused by multiple jobs round the clock. It’s a hard exchange. And we salute them for their sacrifices. But in light of our scripture text today, our prayer is that they wouldn’t forget that although God allowed them to settle in the land of their choosing, their prosperity is still all from Him. And amidst all immoral and materialistic influences, let’s continue to pray they’d choose God and not compromise. There’s always winter in greener lands. A coldness that can only be survived in the embrace of God’s warmth. Take His hand, let Him keep you safe. Know that in Him, you're already home.

Living Proof

1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, ‘I gave birth to him in pain.’  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.

A few months after I gave birth to Kjaran, I felt like a mess.  I had no helper, I had a terrible-three toddler, and I was stuck at home. The daily tasks were overwhelming and the thought that it’d be a repeat the following day made me all the more drained. My only breather was going out on Sundays and my only answer to their ‘how are you’ question was: ‘Surviving!’  God orchestrated that one time, I got to chat with two mommies there, one with four teeners, the other with three big boys. Their stories rebuked all my complaints for they had more kids in their time, they had no helpers too, and had their works to attend to. They admitted it was indeed very difficult but they’re living proof that with God, it is not impossible. And because they trusted God and thrived, I found strength to hope anew. Praise God for you, beautiful ladies :>

The books of Chronicles were believed to have been written after the time the Babylonian exile ended. The chronicler, some said Ezra, allotted nine chapters to write Judah’s genealogy, from Adam to their time. Being remnants, it was crucial to gather those records to re-establish their identity as a nation and to be reminded that they were once God’s great people. When he was writing the descendants of Judah in the fourth chapter, he found it necessary to highlight a popular clan member: Jabez. While other names had to squeeze themselves with more or less three others in a verse, this man was given two full verses.  Why? Because his life can bring hope to the remnants! Born with a name that means pain, God was able to turn his sufferings to success. If he was also the man in 2:55, that place of scribes was named after him because he was an honourable man. He called on God to prosper and protect him and his prayers were heard. The chronicler wanted the remnants to see that the God of Jabez was still their living and faithful God who can bless them and expand their territories again; that although their land was without walls, He will be their defense; and that although harm will continue seek them, God can make them free from pain.  Jabez was living proof to that. 

I’m sure you have your list of countless people to thank God for because their lives strengthened you to take faith leaps. We were refreshed because they endured the thirst; we were revived, because they were at the brink of death; and we’re now continuing because they never stopped. The question is, how are we passing that legacy of faith?  When the next generation, our children specifically, encounter painful exiles, will the record show we trusted God and thrived? Will they believe God because our lives reflected Him alive in us? God comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. The Apostle Paul believed that. Jabez lived that. Now that we’re on the line, we’re called to be a living proof to that. Pain is never an excuse to faithlessness. It actually gives more reason to experience His faithfulness. Prove that!

Stunning Surprise

1 Chronicles 3:17

The descendants of Jehoiachin the captive: Shealtiel his son.

When I called my dad after Christmas, he was unstoppably praising God that my sister and my mom were on their way to her medical school, bringing with them the 93K tuition fee.  93K! I was high pitched myself at the miracle. For how were they able to raise that amount in two months time with his pastoral salary? God’s provision was just amazing! Their noodles and corned beef meals helped a lot too, haha :>  Day after that, my dad texted again that my cousin’s family from the province visited them for Christmas gifts – a Pinoy tradition. I can imagine the struggle in my parents’ heart to give because by then, they only had a few left. But in faith, they gave. That same day, an old lady friend dropped by the house and blessed them with cash gifts. They were pop-eyed once more. God tested their hearts to go empty for Him to fill them anew.  ‘Twas not the first time,  but God loves surprising them everytime :>

I started reading Chronicles three days ago and so far, it was all names and more names. A family tree template to be exact. There were some with interesting descriptions, like the mighty warrior Nimrod, or Peleg, in whose time the earth was divided, or the Edom kings, but I can’t seem to find anything relevant to life. Until I stumbled upon Jehoiachin’s name. He owned the last four verses of 2 Kings, and yes, I also found this evil king irrelevant. He reigned in Judah just three months and ten days, then he surrendered and was taken to Babylon, together with all the temple treasures. He was kept in prison for thirty seven years, then the unbelievable happed: Nebuchadnezzar’s son, now the king, released him and gave him a seat of honor, even higher than those of the other kings with him in Babylon. It was noted that he regularly ate at the king’s table, was kindly spoken to and was given allowance as long as he lived. How come? I let him escape my thoughts and his life excluded in my blog. But God never disregards any man, righteous or unrighteous. He saw to it that I’d stop to this familiar name again. And then the surprising realization: Jehoichin was where the bloodline from David to Jesus will pass through! God preserved and honored him, though undeservedly, because of Christ!  A stunning truth.

Grace still amazes me. Its extent surprises me. Grace can make any man climb heights though the world thinks he’s better underground.  Grace allowed evil kings of Judah ruling, included foreign women in Jesus’ geneology, even called Judas part of the Twelve. All served His purpose. All paved the way to Jesus’ glory. You and I are part of that grace list. Regardless if we acknowledge His Lordship or not, we will serve His will. Regardless if others  attach zero potentials to our names, He can accomplish great things through us. We may have prison walls around us now, but in time, He will surprise us with that release. Grace does that. Because of Christ, grace overflows. That’s the stunning truth!