05/02/16 An Unknown Father, and One Son

READING: 1 Chronicles 7-8

In yesterday’s reading, we saw the tragedy of two men who had no sons — no lineage to carry on God’s work for generations to come. Today, another simple verse catches my attention, but it does so for a completely different reason. 

Listed in the line of the descendants of Ephraim is this short verse: “Nun his son and Joshua his son” (1 Chron 7:27). Nun is named several times in the scriptures, but never with any more detail than the fact that he was the father of Joshua. We know only that he was in the line of Ephraim, and that line continued through him via Joshua. 

About Joshua we know so much more, though. In fact, an entire book of the Bible is named after him. He was one of Moses’ servants, later commissioned by him to be the one to lead God’s people into the Promised Land. His words, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15), adorn the wall of many homes today. Today's reading reminds us of a father whose story we don’t know, followed by a son whose story is pivotal in God’s work. 

Perhaps that should be the goal of godly parents today: to produce offspring whom God uses mightily, even if our own stories are not significant enough to be recorded in the history book. When our faith produces a generation that carries God’s glory further and farther than we’ve ever gone, we can rest well in our work. Are you praying that way for your children today?  

ACTION STEPS: 

  • Evaluate your own life: how important is it to you that your name be central in the story? 
  • Regardless of their age, pray that God will use your children for His glory — even more than He has used you. 

PRAYER: “God, humble me however You must so I will point to others. Give me children that You use in mighty ways.”

TOMORROW’S READING:  1 Chronicles 9-11

 

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