July 28, Day 209 – No One Slips Through This Life

1 Chronicles 2:18-4:8; Proverbs 18:7-16;

Romans 10:5-11:10

"Profile I of Nadja at 14" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pencil Sketch on Paper

In 1 Chronicles 2:18-4:8, we read the chronicler’s continuing list of names of various individuals and families – here, from Caleb – through the royal line after the exile.  In chapter 3, we note the sons of David by his several wives.  Then in verses 10-16, we see the kings of Judah who constitute the line of Christ before the Babylonian captivity.  Verses 17-24 present the royal line of Christ after the exile which serves to establish the purpose for recording all these names.  In chapter 4, we observe the descendants of various clans from the tribe of Judah.  By this record, God assures us that names and people matter to Him – these people are not lost to history.  God keeps books.  I often think about how truly unknown each of us is to the large majority of people who have ever lived – whether before us or after us.  No matter how popular a person might be – such as the president – he or she can only know (or be known by) a small minority of people.  Consider all the untold billions of people who preceded us across this world’s stage; of these countless individuals, we have no knowledge.  But thank God that no one slips through this life unknown to Him.  Everyone matters, because He plans for, knows, and loves each one of us.

Today, we read ten additional verses from Proverbs 18:7-16, and we recognize that they have very practical implications for our daily lives.  Verse 7 begins with the “mouth of a fool,” and it tells us that “his mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul.”  The mark that identifies a fool relates to his or her foolish talk.  Fools cannot speak from any perspective of truth or wisdom because they possess none, and their vain, empty words reveal their own foolishness.  We often recognize this in the silly gibberish of our politicians who love to babble, but they seldom know anything about what they are saying.  Interestingly, many of them expose their own foolishness when they “answer before listening” (verse 13).  Verses 8-11 address our words, our work, and our wealth – with a view toward attaining and utilizing wisdom (i.e., “discernment,” verse 15).  We also notice the contrast between pride and humility (verse 12).  I am thankful that “the name of the LORD is our strong tower” (verse 10) to which we may run and find safe refuge in Him.

In Romans 10:5-11:10, Paul tells us plainly that our salvation, which is secured through God’s grace alone, simply involves an act of our faith – “accepting” (i.e., believing; trusting) the finished work of Jesus Christ (10:9-13).  It has nothing to do with our works – otherwise grace would no longer be grace (11:7).  This shows us that God’s offer of salvation is open to all – “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him” (verse 12).  Paul states that “all those who call on Him will be saved” (verse 13).  Everyone matters, and no one slips through this life.  As my granddaughter always says, “it’s as simple as that.”