Topic: Worthy Legacies [Sunday April 19, 2015]
Text: 1 Chronicles 8:1-13
Key verse: “Beriah also, and Shema, who were heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove away the inhabitants of Gath” (1 Chronicles 8:13).
It is an ugly thing to pass through this life without leaving any worthy mark. It is true that everyone does some activities, but mere activities are not enough. The famous American inventor and businessman, Thomas A. Edison, captured this truth thus, “Being busy does not always mean real work. The object of all work is production or accomplishment and to either of these ends there must be forethought, system, planning, intelligence, and honest purpose, as well as perspiration. Seeming to do is not doing.” Genealogical listing such as we have in today’s text hardly has room for detailed account of the lives of the individual characters or families. Here is the family tree of the tribe of Benjamin. These verses made no significant comment on the lives and times of the names listed.
All that we have is a hint of their position in the family tree and names and number of their offspring. But in verses 12 and 13, the Chronicler could not gloss over the worthy legacies of two sets of people. Their deeds got attached to their names.
First were the sons of Elpaal: Eber, Misham and Shamed who built Ono and Lod and their adjoining towns. Next were Beriah and Shema, heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove away the inhabitants of Gath. Gath was one of the five principal cities of the Philistines, long standing enemies of Israel. It was the home of powerful figures like Goliath.
This is our time. Our history is still in the making. A new chronicle is being compiled. Each of us has an ample chance to make a difference and have a special listing. The good news here is that the measuring scale is no longer about military or any superhuman exploits. It is about being faithful to God and, by His grace, living such a life that impacts positively on the environment where we operate. It is about doing things that promote and expand God’s kingdom here and now. More important, the all-seeing and impartial God is keeping record of our lives and will reward us accordingly.
Bible in One Year: Psalm 105-106
Thought for The Day: To make a difference, be positive and act differently.
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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