No Hidden Skeletons
[Continuing the genealogy of Jesus Matthew lists] David was
the father of Solomon (his mother was Bathsheba, the widow of
Uriah). Solomon was the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam was the
father of Abijah. Abijah was the father of Asaph. Asaph was
the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat was the father of
Jehoram. Jehoram was the father [ancestor] of Uzziah. Uzziah
was the father of Jotham. Jotham was the father of Ahaz. Ahaz
was the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah was the father of
Manasseh. Manasseh was the father of Amos. Amos was the
father of Josiah.
-- 1:6b-10 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
Nearly every family has a few skeletons in its closets, and you can
find them if you open up enough closets! As a propaganda piece, the
Bible is not very good because it doesn't even try to hide the
skeletons -- not even in Jesus' family tree. Instead, the Scriptures
are brutally honest about the failures of even our greatest Bible
heroes. You look through today's verses and you'll find some serious
skeletons. It's as if God is saying to us, "If I can bring triumph
through them and their failures, just imagine what I can do through
you!" I don't know about you, but that surely is encouraging to me. I
call this the principle of “Hallelujah anyway!” God’s power and grace
triumph over our failures. (FYI, for those not familiar with the idiom,
"a skeleton in the closet" is another way of saying that someone has
some bad family secrets that they try to keep hidden. One of the most
signficant "skeletons" is Bathsheba, the one for whom David lusted,
then had her husband placed in danger so that he died in battle, and
then David finally married her.)
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Almighty God, I am thankful that your strength is made perfect in
weakness. I don't want to stumble or fall in my service to you, but it
is very encouraging to know that you have raised so many others up from
failure and made them useful and holy to you. Please forgive my sins
and empower me to overcome my weaknesses and sin. Thank you for giving
me reasons not to give up when I do falter. In the name of Jesus, my
atoning sacrifice and hero, I pray. Amen.
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