JULY 2017 One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. Psalm 145:4 THE GOD OF YOUR HISTORY: 1 Chronicles A devotional from TODAY WITH DR. PAUL NYQUIST President of Moody Global Ministries Part of the Story Technology makes it history of God’s people from Adam to easier for the average Solomon. The Hebrew name for the person to discover book is translated as “The Words [also his or her past. We Events or Matters] of the Days,” taken now have almost from 1 Chronicles 27:24. The great fifth- instantaneous access century biblical scholar Jerome gave it to historical records the name Chronicles. But many of us that previously required hours in the might wonder why Scripture includes library or travel to remote locations. DNA chapter after chapter that seems to be testing, available through the mail, allows nothing more than a list of names? us to learn about our precise ethnic mix. As you read the record of Chronicles, Studying our family’s past can reveal two things should be abundantly clear. a bit more about who we are and from First, God notices us as individuals— where we come. But we may also every single one of us. This genealogy find some surprises. People might be contains hundreds of individual names, excited to discover their family tree generation after generation. It reminds includes a respected physician or one us that we are significant in God’s eyes. of the original colonists, but they might also be dismayed to learn their great- Second, God’s plan is larger than any great uncle was the town drunkard. single one of us. It is easy to get caught up in our limited earthly perspective. In the book of Chronicles, the subject Sometimes we focus on our individual of this month’s study, we see a listing failures and missteps. This list reminds of the history of God’s people. In the us that we are a part of a much bigger opening chapters, you will see some story. God worked not just through familiar names (Adam, Noah, Abraham, one person, but through generation Esau) but also the names of less well- after generation, weaving us together known individuals (Seir, Anah, Zaavan, into His perfect divine plan. The story and Hadad). Some were shining of your individual life is part of His successes, while others we might larger narrative. dismiss as failures. Friend, you are not left out. You are Originally written as one volume, the valued by God, and an integral part of books of 1 and 2 Chronicles trace the His story. n 800 356¤6639 THEOLOGY MATTERS by Dr. John Koessler The Son of David, Son of Abraham Matthew opens his Gospel by calling out to build a temple for the Lord, the Jesus “the son of David, the son of Lord promised: “When your days are Abraham” (Matt. 1:1). This is a statement over and you rest with your fathers, I about Jesus’ human lineage. This will raise up your offspring to succeed genealogy links Jesus to two of the you, your own flesh and blood, and I foundational promises of the Old will establish his kingdom” (2 Sam. 7:12). Testament: first, God’s promise to bless The fact that this was to take place after all the nations of the earth through David’s death indicates that someone Abraham’s offspring (Gen. 22:17–18); other than Solomon was in view. second, His promise to give one of David’s descendants an eternal As the Son of Abraham, Jesus brings kingdom (2 Sam. 7:12). the blessing of eternal life to all nations. Anyone who trusts in Him will be Matthew uses “son of David” as a title forgiven. As the Son of David, Jesus is that identifies Jesus as Israel’s Messiah. Israel’s promised Messiah and King. He Matthew 9:27 describes how two blind will one day sit on David’s throne and men followed Jesus, calling to Him reign in Jerusalem. His rule will extend “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” On throughout the entire earth and will another occasion, when Jesus healed a never end (Isa. 9:7; Rev. 11:15). demon possessed man who was blind and mute, the astonished crowd asked, The juxtaposition of these two “Could this be the Son of David?” (Matt. designations in Matthew’s Gospel 12:22–23). At the Triumphal Entry into reminds us that God keeps His pro- Jerusalem, which inaugurated Jesus’ mises. All that God has said He will do final week, the welcoming crowd will come to pass. Just as the past is a shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of record of God’s faithfulness, the future David” (Matt. 21:9). Even a Canaanite offers the prospect of faithfulness yet to woman who lived in the region of Tyre be experienced. The God of Abraham and Sidon recognized that this title and David does not make idle promises. belonged to Jesus (Matt. 15:22). He always keeps His word! n Son of David was a messianic title. FOR FURTHER STUDY Those who used it to refer to Jesus To learn more about God’s promises to were identifying Him as David’s David, read First & Second Chronicles promised descendant. When David set by John Sailhamer (Moody Publishers). TODAYINTHEWORD.COM MORE FROM MOODY Additional Resources to Encourage You on Your Spiritual Journey Looking for a Good Book This Summer? Here are a few favorites from Moody Publishers, ranging from practical life issues to fiction, to add to your summer reading list. Order from your local bookstore or call (800)-678-8812 or online at moodypublishers.org. Practical Suggestions for Daily Life Fiction Jesus’ Terrible Financial Pearl in the Sand Advice $14.99 $12.99 Can a former Canaanite harlot CPA John Thornton starts make a fitting wife for one of where financial gurus end, the leaders of Israel? Pearl in sharing his ten biggest “a-ha” moments the Sand tells Rahab’s story. While her learned through fifteen years of studying house is built into the defensive walls what the Bible says about money. Jesus’ of the city of Jericho, other walls teachings can give you purpose and surround her as well—walls of fear, lead to true peace, prosperity, and rejection, and unworthiness. happiness. Christian Life Design Your Day No More Perfect Marriages $11.99 $13.99 Productivity expert Claire Diaz- Many marriages suffer for Ortiz will help you do more in a lack of intimacy, but most less time. Whatever is on your couples don’t know why. In to-do list—long-term or short-term—she’ll No More Perfect Marriages, Mark and help you choose smart goals and put Jill Savage guide couples in restoring strategies in place to achieve them. trust and intimacy. Current Interests How to Overcome Worry Seeking Refuge $9.99 $13.99 Dr. Winfred Neely has Informed by real stories from experienced his fair refugee communities around share of anxiety-inducing the world, Seeking Refuge is circumstances. He walks readers through a call to display God’s power and love to Philippians 4:6–7 to help them release a hurting world. worry and experience the peace of God. VOLUME 30 • ISSUE 7 EXECUTIVE EDITOR Bruce Everhart MANAGING EDITOR Heather Mott SENIOR EDITOR Elena Mafter The God of Your History: 1 Chronicles CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Jamie Janosz John Koessler Laurence Overmire—author, poet, genealogist, and WRITER descendant of several Mayflower passengers— John Koessler ART DIRECTOR dedicated two decades to tracing his family’s history. Lynn Gabalec In his book, One Immigrant’s Legacy, he writes: GRAPHIC DESIGNERS “History remembers only the celebrated, genealogy Larry Bohlin, Dana Chen BUSINESS MANAGER remembers them all.” Paul B. Currie MARKETING MANAGER After their return from the Babylonian captivity, the Claire Kniowski Jewish people had their genealogies preserved: MOODY GLOBAL MINISTRIES All the tribes and families and all the names were PRESIDENT J. Paul Nyquist recorded in the book of 1 Chronicles. As we study this PROVOST Old Testament book this month, we’ll see that these Junias Venugopal mostly obscure names helped the Jewish people EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Steven Mogck preserve their history and know who they are as SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT the people of God. They will also help us trace the Greg R. Thornton earthly pedigree of our Lord Jesus Christ—to David, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Ken Heulitt Judah, Abraham, and Adam—in fulfillment of what the CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER prophets said about the coming Messiah. Samuel Choy VICE PRESIDENTS Tim Arens This month we will also follow the ups and downs in Larry Davidhizar the life of one person—the famous King David. We’ll Jim Elliott Bruce Everhart learn about his victories and failures, his love for God John A. Jelinek Collin G. Lambert and desire to worship the Lord with all his heart, soul, Frank W. Leber Jr. and strength. We’ll marvel at the way God used David Bryan O’Neal Paul Santhouse to change history. You may not feel as important and James Spencer mighty as King David, but the same God who guided Janet Stiven Anthony Turner the king’s life, guides yours. He is the God of history, Debbie Zelinski and your life is interwoven in His story. n TRUSTEES Christopher Denison Orbelina Eguizabal T. Randall Fairfax (Chairman) Thomas S. Fortson Manuel Gutierrez Moody Global Ministries is the sole publisher of Today in the Word, copyright Jerry B. Jenkins © 2017 by Moody Global Ministries. All rights reserved. Please direct all Today Paul Johnson (Emeritus) in the Word inquiries to Donor Resource Management, 820 N.