Most of us likely skim over the list of names in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. We recognize that genealogy is important, but the names mean little to us. We understand that the lineage of Jesus is especially important because it is imperative that He be identified with Abraham, David, and Adam if He truly is the Son of God/Son of Man.

I’m guessing most of us don’t face literal enemies who are trying to kill us.  However, we do face the enemy every day.  Does that sound crazy to you?  Do you consider that Satan is attacking you on every front every day? 

We all think that what we want, the way we think something should be, is a just cause.  But is it, really?  Lots of things can sound like noble causes, but would they be in God’s eyes?

God’s timing is often mystifying. From the vantage point of our limited mortal lives, His ways sometimes seem agonizingly slow. Does He not hear our heartfelt cries and prayers? Is He indifferent to our difficulties? The answer is found in these words: “God heard their groaning; and God remembered His covenant … God saw … and God took notice.”

The first thing we learn about Abigail is in verse 3 where we are told she is discerning and beautiful.  We then see her in action in verse 18, “Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves and two skins of wine and five sheep already prepared and five seahs of parched grain and a hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on donkeys.”

The danger of deception is especially punctuated in Revelation 16 because it is worldwide deception that gathers the nations for the final battle called Armageddon (Revelation 16:13-14). If deception is increased in those days, then it is imperative that vigilance also increase.

“Be skeptical of everyone, including the skeptics”. I don’t know where this quote or phrase came from, but I often find myself in that mindset. Why? Because of stories like this. There are those out there who would try to deceive and use this deception to take advantage of others. I used to get calls and emails all the time at the church from people who were looking for money to help with something. There was always a story about why they were in this tough situation. The second half of that quote also resonates because sometimes people just like the status quo or throw cold water on other people’s ideas.

Even in the eleventh hour of human history, as God’s great wrath is poured out prior to the return of Jesus, there is hope for deliverance. Whereas humans have been tasked with sharing this “eternal gospel” (Matthew 28:18-20), an angel is assigned to do so at this age’s end. This eternal gospel remains universal in scope - “to every nation and tribe and tongue and people.” It is for all people, in every nation, in every age.

Achan’s sin caused God to be furious, and he withheld his blessing and protection from Israel. Achan’s misappropriation of riches, which had nothing to do with the battle against the people at Ai, led to the loss of a battle. The sin affected all of Israel. In this case, Achan lost his life because of his sin.

The saying goes that hindsight is 20/20. As we reflect back on key moments in our lives, we see certain decisions with greater clarity. Had we known then what we know now we might have acted differently. But, what if God’s unseen hand guided in choices and decisions made?