Devotional Reading: Mark 10:46-52
Most everyone has a desire to know from whence they came and to leave something behind to be remembered. For this reason many people go to libraries to trace their family tree, go online to search their genealogy on websites such as www.ancestry.com, take pictures, and speak to older family members and neighbors in order to record their findings. Were they in Christ? Are you a descendant of God-fearing believers and will your ancestors believe you to have been faithful to Him? If you were a descendant of blind Bartimaeus you would be able to say your family member had personally received the grace and mercy of the LORD through a miracle because of his faith (Mk 10:46-52). He was blind and believed he would be healed by the Master, simply by calling on His name in faith. It is recorded at Philip 2:10 “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.” (NKJV) If blind Bartimaeus were my ancestor I would consider myself proud to have such a Christian believer in my immediate family. But aren’t we all a family of believers? We are a “…chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people…the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” (1 Pet 2:9-10 NKJV)
When David expressed a strong desire to build a house for the LORD, God was honored that David desired to build Him a house. (2 Sam 7:4-16) However, God had never requested a house since the beginning of time. Through Nathan, the prophet, the LORD recounted all of the many blessings David had been given in his life. He was advised that it was not necessary for him to build the house for the LORD. Instead the LORD made promises to David which is known as the Davidic covenant. First David did not have to worry about a house that would be built for God. When he died his offspring (Solomon) was going to succeed him. This offspring would be allowed to build a physical house for the name of the LORD. However, God promised that David’s throne and a kingdom he establishes would last forever. It would come from the fruit of his loins.
All of the promised prophecy of God points to the Messiah. Ps 89 is a restatement of the covenant promise to David. In remembering it, in part, it declares at verses 35-37, “Once I have sworn by My holiness: I will not lie to David: His seed shall endure forever, And his throne as the sun before Me; It shall be established forever like the moon, Even like the faithful witness in the sky.” (NKJV) God is on the witness stand testifying as to His promise to David. He states that He had sworn by it once. There is no reason for Him to swear by it again. He can’t lie as He does not operate on falsehoods. Further, He swore on His Holiness. So it must be a guaranteed promise, the absolute truth, because God is holy. Further, David’s seed shall endure forever. Even though there was some of David’s seed who committed iniquity, God continued to show mercy. He did not take the throne and kingdom to discontinue the lineage before the Christ child was born. God kept His promise. And the spiritual seed of Jesus Christ shall endure forever. The latter part of verse 36 through verse 37 describes the faithful witness of the sun and the moon. God’s two witnesses are very credible. All of nature knows of the existence of the sun and the moon. Faith in such credible witnesses makes it believable that God’s promise would come to pass.
The prophet Isaiah wrote many prophesies about the Promised Son. At Is 9:6-7 he declared, “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” (NKJV) He wrote of the Lord as the light, in humiliation, in exaltation and with great dignity. This Son of a virgin shall have the responsibility of the entire government upon Him. But He would be able to handle it with ease for He has several Names given Him to which He is able to fulfill. People shall know Him by His Name, worship Him by His Name, request counsel, gain strength, wisdom, peace, and salvation by His Name.
The LORD’s covenant promise to David and Isaiah’s prophecy as to the Promised Son is fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ. Matthew 1:18-21 indicates, “This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’” (NKJV) The mystery of the incarnation of our LORD Jesus Christ is to be adored and not to be pried into. Our celebration of His birth and His advent (coming) is among the greatest celebrations of the Christian church. It is so because His birth is essential for our salvation and hope.
As we are now in the Lent Season leading to another great celebratory period, Easter (Resurrection Sunday), let us always remember that Christ completed His earthly mission as sent by God the Almighty. When He spoke the words recorded at John 19:30b, “…It is finished…” (NKJV), He gave all men the opportunity to be saved and reconnect with the family of God. What a family reunion we shall have when we meet God, Christ, all believers in Christ, and the angelic beings in eternity! What a time! What a time! What a time!
Written by Deborah C. Davis
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