1 Chronicles 2:12
“And Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse,”
When you look at the family tree of King David and our Saviour, Jesus Christ, you find a very troubling past. Both David and Jesus were descendants of Judah. When you read this chapter you find that this family tree had some things that were very embarrassing. For instance, Pharez was the result of Judah and his daughter-in-law having an intimate relationship. In this family tree is Achan, the one who took of the accursed thing and troubled Israel. In this family tree we find that Rahab, the mother of Boaz, was a harlot. What a past that both David and Jesus had! Yet, in spite of their dark and embarrassing past, God still used David in a great way. In spite of this past, Jesus was still placed into this family and is the Saviour of the whole world.
There are many people who have things in their family that are very embarrassing and that they really don't want to talk about. For some, the whole reason they won't get involved in serving God is because of their past. Some think that God could never use them because of their past. Others don't want to get involved out of fear someone will find out about those embarrassing things. Let me say, you are not the first person who has something embarrassing in your family history. In fact, you will find that most families have some skeleton that they try to keep covered up. But in spite of the actions of your family, let me remind you that God can and wants to use you. Let me give you three things of why God allows these things embarrassing things to happen to us.
First, God allows these things to keep a fresh reminder of sin's effect. Sin's effect goes deeper than anyone can ever imagine. We should use the foolish actions of family members as a personal reminder that our sins will affect generations to come. We need to live our lives in such a way that we don't place a black mark on our present and future family members.
Second, God allows these embarrassing things to happen to keep us humble. When we have those who have done some bad things in our family, this has a way of helping us keep a right perspective. This reminder of the actions of family members will keep us from thinking that we are better than what we truly are.
Lastly, God allows these things to show us He can use us in spite of what others have done. God likes to take the unlikely one and use them for His glory. Though you may have some skeletons in your family closet, God can use you in spite of what your family members have done.
Though God does not make these people commit the sins they have committed, He will use those instances to keep us humble when He decides to use us. Yes, these may be embarrassing, but God can still use you in spite of what your family has done. No, you don't have to talk about it, but don't let the actions of family members stop you from serving God. He can and will use you in spite of what your family may have done.
If you will let God use you, God can change that embarrassing thing for which your family is known to a good reputation. Decide to be the one in your family that will change the bad reputation to a good reputation by living right and allowing God to use you.
To contact Evangelist Allen Domelle, send an email to contact@oldpathsjournal.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment