FAMILY RECORDS

Today's reading: Ezra 1-5

"Three families of priests--Hobaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai--also returned to Jerusalem. (This Barzillai had married a woman who was a descendent of Barzillai of Gilead, and he had taken her family name.) But they had lost their genealogical records, so they were not allowed to serve as priests. The governor would not even let them eat the priests' share of the food from the sacrifices until there was a priest who could consult the Lord about the matter by means of sacred lots." Ezra 2:61-63 NLT

Long story short?

The Jewish people had been exiled from Israel and were now beginning to come back after 70+ years. This return was fraught with heartache, expense, political unrest AND red tape.

You see, some of the returning Jews couldn't find their documentation. Their 'passports'. Their family records.

Imagine that? After being taken as spoils of war, political prizes, wartime casualties, they had misplaced their paperwork.

Ever feel like that?

Your enemy accuses...

Your enemy blames...

Your enemy spouts lies...

Your enemy casts doubt...

And you feel as if you are left scrambling to provide proof of who you are. Whose you are.

Let me tell you this (after having told myself the same thing)--If you are a child of God...

If you have prayed a prayer asking for His forgiveness...

If you have knelt at an altar, or a bedside, or a couch, or in a parked card, and admitted your need for a Savior...

If you have received His precious gift of Jesus as your Lord...

You have all the proof you need!

Jesus Himself stands up and verifies your identity as His.

Your enemy cannot dispute His word.

Your enemy cannot demand more proof than His blood.

Your enemy cannot stand against His claim on you.

If you are His, you are His--no doubt about it!