From a lineage, a choice.
3 He committed the same sins as his father before him, and he was not faithful to the Lord his God, as his ancestor David had been. 4 But for David’s sake, the Lord his God allowed his descendants to continue ruling, shining like a lamp, and he gave Abijam a son to rule after him in Jerusalem. 5 For David had done what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight and had obeyed the Lord’s commands throughout his life, except in the affair concerning Uriah the Hittite. (1 Kings 15:3-5, NLT)
One does evil in the sight of the Lord, just like his father before him. Another does what pleases the Lord.
8 When Abijam died, he was buried in the City of David. Then his son Asa became the next king. (1 Kings 15:8, NLT)
11 Asa did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, as his ancestor David had done. (1 Kings 15:11, NLT)
And so it goes. A choice.
6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7, NLT)
I feel the stretching pull of growing down and building up. Faith that grows strong in truth, a life overflowing in thankfulness.
Lord, I give you praise because I can trust in you. You are good and your faithfulness continues to each generation–great grace. I don’t know what the days hold, but I know who holds them, and I give you thanks now for your sovereignty. In you are the treasures of wisdom and knowledge–help me, oh Lord, to grow down deeper into you and my life to be built on you–my rock and foundation.
Courtney (66books365)
Sixty-six books in a year 