Days 93&94: 1 Chronicles 1-2, Pslams 43-44,49,84,85,87

In the first 2 chapters of 1 Chronicles is a recap of all the generations of humans beginning with Adam. The people of Israel place a high importance on passing along their history. I have to be honest...I pretty much just skimmed these 2 chapters of genealogies. But when I read Psalm 43, I see the importance of this history...it's not just about the Israelites, it's about God...

We have heard it with our ears, O God;
   our ancestors have told us
what you did in their days,
   in days long ago.
With your hand you drove out the nations
   and planted our ancestors;
you crushed the peoples
   and made our ancestors flourish.
It was not by their sword that they won the land,
   nor did their arm bring them victory;
it was your right hand, your arm,
   and the light of your face, for you loved them. (Psalm 44:1-3)

Paul writes in Romans 8, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" then he quotes this Psalm:

Yet for your sake we face death all day long;
   we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. (Psalm 44:22)

I notice that he doesn't indicate at all that God will spare us from trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword...only that those things do not have the power to separate us from Christ's love.

Psalm 49 gives us a reminder of the value of Christ's sacrifice on the cross:

 No one can redeem the life of another
   or give to God a ransom for them—
the ransom for a life is costly,
   no payment is ever enough—(Psalm 49:7-8)

I love living in the U.S. It's comfortable. But I have to admit that sometimes I think our priorities are completely screwed up...mine included. We never seem to have enough. Theres' a commercial that always makes me chuckle about how as soon as we buy a gadget, phone or TV it becomes obsolete and we have to replace it. It's really sort of silly, isn't it, how we feel we have to keep up with everything? We're so impressed with those who have the latest and best "stuff."

Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
   when the splendor of their houses increases;
for they will take nothing with them when they die,
   their splendor will not descend with them.
Though while they live they count themselves blessed—
   and people praise you when you prosper—
they will join those who have gone before them,
   who will never again see the light of life.(Psalm 49:16-19)