AT FIRST GLANCE...

These were the heads of their father's houses: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jahdiel. They were mighty men of valor, famous men, and heads of their fathers' houses.
1 Chronicles 5:24


Sounds like a great group of guys doesn't it?
Men of valor.
Brave and courageous men.
Famous men.
Every person in the tribe knew about them.
Street recognition most definitely.
Heads of their fathers' houses.
The men in charge.
The men other men came to for advice and guidance.
The authority of that house.
The men with the power.

Who wouldn't want to be them?

And they were unfaithful to the God of their fathers, and played the harlot after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them.

1 Chronicles 5:25


I don't want to be them.
Their unfaithfulness led to captivity.
Not just for them but for their entire tribe.
When I find myself desiring the riches of this world (even within the church)- fame, position, money- whatever- this verse serves as a reminder as to what the main thing is. When I find myself looking at others, thinking how great they are or their life is, I need to remember that what I see is a first glance. I need to make sure I look deeper to see where their faithfulness lies. Not to judge them, but to be aware for myself in order to avoid becoming a captive with them. I need to, by the help of the Holy Spirit, strive to make sure that when people take a second look at me and my life, they see faithfulness as well, because I don't want to be responsible for leading them into captivity either.

NOTHING

Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.
Not the most wonderful thing that I could even imagine happening to me.
Not all my dreams and desires coming to fruition.
Not the thing I fear the most.
Not the thing I am even afraid to speak.
Nothing compares to the promise I have You.
No high point in my life is more glorious than Your promise.
No low point in my life can destroy that promise.
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.
No worries I have are greater than Your promise.
No plan of the enemy is greater than Your promise.
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

That we should be saved from our enemies

and from the hand of all who hate us,

to perform the mercy promised to our fathers,

and to remember His holy covenant,

the oath which he swore to our father Abraham:

to grant us that we,

being delivered from the hand of our enemies,

might serve Him without fear,

in holiness and righteousness

before Him all the days of our life.

Luke 1:71-75 (NKJV)

DOUBLE DOSE

I don't know how many of you read both blogs.
Well, besides my sisters and Q.
I was not for sure where to put this one, so you get it on both.
DO YOU REALLY?
Maybe totally just for me.
But knowing Him, I doubt it;)
Completely unrelated, can I just say that Judges finishes with a bang!
I have no doubt if they ever made an Old Testament movie straight from the text, an "R" rating would be an understatement. W...O...W.