January 1, 2010 (I Chronicles 1-2, Psalm 43-45, 49, 84-85, 87)

I Chronicles starts off with genealogies....boring stuff overall, unless you really dig, but I learned a few things from this. One, I have a new nickname for Chris, although I haven't told him yet, and I have a feeling he won't like it...Nimrod! I actually think I've heard that name used in a derogatory manner, but I Chron. 1:10 says "Cush was also the ancestor of Nimrod, who was known across the earth as a heroic warrior." I think my hubby would prefer 'Highland Savage' to 'Nimrod'.

And in I Chron. chapter 2 I learned that Abishai, Joab and Asahel (who were mentioned a day or two ago) were actually the nephews of David. I never caught that before.

A few tidbits from the Psalms...

A good reminder for those engaged in military battles:

Psalm 44

¹ O God, we have heard it with our own ears—
our ancestors have told us
of all you did in their day,
in days long ago:
² You drove out the pagan nations by your power
and gave all the land to our ancestors.
You crushed their enemies
and set our ancestors free.
³ They did not conquer the land with their swords;
it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory.
It was your right hand and strong arm
and the blinding light from your face that helped them,
for you loved them. ⁴ You are my King and my God.
You command victories for Israel.
⁵ Only by your power can we push back our enemies;
only in your name can we trample our foes.
⁶ I do not trust in my bow;
I do not count on my sword to save me.
⁷ You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies;
you disgrace those who hate us.
⁸ O God, we give glory to you all day long
and constantly praise your name.

²⁰ If we had forgotten the name of our God
or spread our hands in prayer to foreign gods,
²¹ God would surely have known it,
for he knows the secrets of every heart.

And then a word to the wise about riches and wealth. No matter how much money you have, you cannot 'buy yourself' out of dying some day....

Psalm 49

⁵ Why should I fear when trouble comes,
when enemies surround me?
⁶ They trust in their wealth
and boast of great riches.
⁷ Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death
by paying a ransom to God.
⁸ Redemption does not come so easily,
for no one can ever pay enough
⁹ to live forever
and never see the grave.

¹⁰ Those who are wise must finally die,
just like the foolish and senseless,
leaving all their wealth behind.
¹¹ The grave is their eternal home,
where they will stay forever.
They may name their estates after themselves,
¹² but their fame will not last.
They will die, just like animals.
¹³ This is the fate of fools,
though they are remembered as being wise.

¹⁴ Like sheep, they are led to the grave,
where death will be their shepherd.
In the morning the godly will rule over them.
Their bodies will rot in the grave,
far from their grand estates.
¹⁵ But as for me, God will redeem my life.
He will snatch me from the power of the grave.