Matthew 1:1 A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:

For someone with no background in the OT, it makes no sense to start the NT with a genealogy that is a collection of unpronounceable names. However, Matthew was writing to Jews, and modern computer analysis indicates he probably wrote in Aramaic, that was only later translated into Greek. For someone familiar with OT prophecy and the history of the Jewish people, this genealogy is rich indeed. God fulfilled His promise to Abraham through some remarkable people and some pretty unlikely people. Of the three women mentioned, two were Gentile and one was an adulteress! Of the men, some were godly and some were anything but, some were famous and some were essentially unknown. The point is that God can and does use anyone to fulfill His purposes, and His promises are sure. For us, there remains the question of whether we will be willing participants in God’s plan, or whether we will merely be pawns. There is a big difference! God never creates anyone as disposable, but whether we enjoy the benefits of His plan depends on our faith and obedience. How much better to rejoice in being God’s instrument now, and spend eternity with Him in heaven!

This of course applies to me as much as to anyone else. It is always a joy to recognize when God has used me, but I often don’t realize it at the time. As this verse indicates, God’s plan spans all generations, so we cannot know everything from our current viewpoint. I need to focus not only on my own faithfulness, but also in helping others understand how their faithfulness likewise fits into God’s plan. So many people feel they are too insignificant to be used by God, too unreliable, but the Bible says otherwise. God has great things in store for this church and this city, and I need to help people participate expectantly in what He is doing now. We can’t jump ahead in time – time passes quickly enough – so we need to recognize that the current moment is just as much in God’s plan as the future one we imagine.

Father, thank You for this reminder. At the moment, I’d like to jump ahead to the 26th, with all the busyness behind me! Help me take each day, each moment as it comes, not only doing faithfully what You have for me to do, but resting, relaxing, and rejoicing in You in the process. Thank You for the experience yesterday, when Cathy not answering her cell phone made all sorts of scenarios run through my mind. Thank You that even there, I was aware that Your grace would be sufficient no matter what the situation was. Help me remember that Your grace is sufficient also for the much more minor crises that confront me all the time. May I both project and enjoy the joy of Your salvation in this season, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!