DESCENDANTS

Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 1-4

"The descendants of Adam were Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mehalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech and Noah. The sons of Noah were Shem, Ham and Japheph." 1 Chronicles 1:1 NLT

So begins these first four chapters of 1 Chronicles.

Drier reading than normal, unless you pause, individually, over each and every name--realizing that every name represented a person, a life, a testimony, an impact on the world--and on us.

A quick review of the list finds mighty warriors, liars and cheats, rule followers and rule breakers.

Looking deeper into the list of descendants, you will see outsiders brought into the family, women who were princesses and concubines.

Let's not overlook the fellas who had numerous wives, a custom of the day, men who prayed great prayers to God and men who did great things for God.

We can also see listed musicians, potters, linen makers and shepherds.

I don't know about you, but once in a while, I need the reminder that God can, will and wants to use us all in His great plans...Those of us with grand lineages, those of us who have messed up repeatedly, those of us who are new to the family of God and those of us who don't feel like we have anything at all to offer Him.