Reading for today
Old Testament: 1 Chronicles 5, 6, 7
New Testament: Acts 26
Thoughts from today’s reading
1 Chronicles 5:1-2. Due to his immorality, Reuben was denied the birth right of the firstborn, Jacob gave this birth right to Joseph. One of the rights of the firstborn is to rule, divide an inheritance and represent the family name. Joseph ruled in Egypt and preserved the family of Israel. Joshua who was from the tribe of Ephraim, the son of Joseph, was the one that led the children of Israel into their inheritance of the promised land. However, when God chose a king to lead Israel, it was David from the tribe of Judah and Christ came from that same tribe and He is described as the firstborn from the dead. When we abide in Christ, we abide in the benefits of the firstborn, and only outside of Him do we lose that benefit.
Acts 26:15-18. Apostle Paul reveals his encounter with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. The gospel of Christ has the power to open blind eyes and to turn men from darkness to light and the power of Satan to God. It allows us to receive forgiveness of sins and access the inheritance of God in Christ.
Prayer
1. Thank you Father that you have accepted me in Christ Jesus your beloved Son and so I have access to the blessings and the inheritance of the firstborn. I also thank you Lord that when I walk outside of what is expected of the firstborn, I have forgiveness in Christ which restores me to a right relationship with You. May I not take what you have gifted me with for granted, and may I live everyday to glorify your name. This I pray in Jesus’ name.
2. Lord Jesus, there is power in your gospel to open the eyes of the spiritually blind so that they are turned from darkness to light and delivered from the power of Satan and come unto God. As we teach and preach this gospel, thank you that we will see these results and raise a people set apart by God to receive an inheritance of life in abundance of things in heaven and on earth.