descendants

Why do the wicked live and become old, yes, become mighty in power? Their descendants are established with them in their sight, and their offspring before their eyes. Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. Job 21:7-9

In every nation and community, a person can look around and see someone who is very wealthy or in high level of power and in older age. Many of those who are these positions do not have very high standards of living. Those with high standards of living appear to be in much lower positions in life.

Job complains about how the wicked can live and become old with a long line of descendants with no fear. God does not appear to punish them at all.

Looking on the surface, many people appear to have everything going great for them, having great success. There does not seem to be any problems or difficulties in their lives, and they are getting what they want.

Sinful lifestyles are lived and promoted by the wealthy and prominent of the world. On the surface God does not seem to care about what they are doing and is letting them get away with sin in their lives with no fear of punishment, while many believers are suffering from harm in many different ways, and this can be very discouraging.

Believers must remember that God is patient and does not want any to perish. He is also holding off punishment until the day of judgement when Jesus returns. Although the majority of the world is living in sin, there will come a day of judgement in which they will pay for their sins.

Instead of complaining about the world, believers must remember that at one time they were also just like the world. Living for God may cost today, but it will be worth it in the end.

It may feel like you are getting the raw end of the stick and are suffering while the world appears to be living it up in sin. Do not focus on what the world is getting by with today, but remember that there will come a day when they will be punished for their sins.

Just as they will be punished, you will be rewarded for your faithfulness to God. Hold on to the eternal hope you have that the world cannot know without Jesus.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know the hope you have in Jesus; that you will know the rewards God has for you some day; that you will trust God’s timing in your life; and that you will trust God’s timing in judging the world.

All these were descendants of Asher–heads of families, choice men, brave warriors and outstanding leaders. The number of men ready for battle, as listed in their genealogy, was 26,000. 1 Chronicles 7:40

Working as much as people often do, most people are ready to relax. They want to go home, sit in a recliner, put their feet up and relax doing nothing. Or they want to go out and sit by a lake fishing or some other hobby. The idea is to relax and not have to work hard anymore. Very few will look to be ready for a battle.

After listing the descendants of Asher, they are described as brave warriors, outstanding leaders and ready for battle.

Fighting a battle is very seldom the desire of most people. Only a few state that they are ready to fight. Being in a battle is being in the center of a danger zone that can injure or take one’s life. This scares most people.

While many places throughout the world are not going through a physical war, there is still a battle going on everywhere. The dark and sinful forces of this world are fighting against God and His people for the souls of every person.

Believers are in the middle of a battle that is greater than any physical war ever fought on the face of the earth. Each one must be ready to go to battle for their own lives and the lives of others.

In order to be ready for battle the believer must know God’s word to understand what the battle is, who the enemy is and how to win the battle. He must also be praying to seek God’s strength and direction. He must also put on the full armor of God.

The believer must be ready for battle at all times. As a believer, the world is against you. There is a battle for your soul trying to get you to sin against God. You must be ready to fight that battle at all times.

Hide God’s word in your heart to have a sword to fight with. Take up the shield of faith to defend yourself. Be filled with the Holy Spirit to have the power to win the battle. Allow God to direct your paths in fighting this battle.

Be ready to go to battle for your own soul and the souls of other people. Are you ready for battle?

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will allow God to equip you for battle; that God will remove all fear of battle; that you will see God’s victory in every battle you face; and that you will be a brave warrior for God against the evil forces in this world.