Past Trials Future Blessings

1 This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham: 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers.3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar). Perez was the father of Hezron. Hezron was the father of Ram. 4 Ram was the father of Amminadab. Amminadab was the father of Nahshon. Nahshon was the father of Salmon.5 Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse.6 Jesse was the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah).

Matt 1:1-6 (NLT)

Have you ever really looked at the names that are in the linage of Jesus? If we examine the stories of those listed in this passage almost all have stories of something happening that might have seemed like life ending trials. Through it all God was able not only to bless them but all the rest of the world because they are in the line of Jesus. Tamar was widowed and through trickery bore a son (Genesis 38:1-30).  We see Rahab a harlot (prostitute) who helped Joshua and Israeli defeat Jericho (Joshua 2:1-16). We see Ruth who was widowed but loved her mother-in-law and did as she was instructed, redeem by her kinsman. And then we have Bathsheba the one in whom David fell into sin with; causing him to murder her husband. Not that she intended it but it takes two. It is no wonder people look at our faith sometimes and laugh at us. When you look at the place that it comes from most of us would hide all this information and never share it with a soul if our family tree had this sort of stuff in its branches; and it probably does. Yet God has said He would use foolish things to confound the wise; and that even in the worst of situations that we endure work for His glory and the benefit of those who love Him.

I challenge you today to look at your current situation and see it as a challenge. How will what you are facing today effect the future generations of your family? Will you allow your circumstances to prevent God’s blessings from being poured out upon you and future generations? Trust in Him; if God can use the situations of those in the past to bring hope to the future, He can and will do it for you! Have a blessed day as you walk in the light of His word.