You can be excused from reading the long genealogy of Simeon in First Chronicles, but then you would miss this lovely tribute to the descendants of Ham. Just a little gem in a boring(?) list of names.

1 Chronicles 4:39-40

A broad, quiet and peaceful place in Israel

They journeyed to the entrance of Gedor, to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks, where they found rich, good pasture, and the land was very broad, quiet, and peaceful, for the former inhabitants there belonged to Ham.

Bible Gateway link: 1 Chronicles 4:39-40 (ESV)

Sign me up! Not one of us can make it through this without His ‘gentle and lowly heart’ leading us to rest.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Bible Gateway link: Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)

Matthew 5:3-10 -

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

As humans we never see the big picture, but one doesn’t have to see it to know the wisdom in this verse. Whatever the endeavor, if it comes from God, it will succeed, if not it will fail. Christianity prevails.

Acts of the Apostles 5:38-39

The Pharisee Gamaliel

(Gamaliel the Pharisee)

“...So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice,

Bible Gateway link: Acts 5:38-39 (ESV)

“Thy God my God.” This verse fills my heart every time. It is so loving and faithful, the perfect description of any true commitment to another human being. Sometimes it is awkward, but this and many other verses cry out for the old King James Version.

Ruth 1:16-17 

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

-Bible Gateway link: Ruth 1:16-17 (KJV)

This is a prophesy from the Son of God. I’ve been pondering this verse for days in light of the corona virus. This is when knowing the Bible is such a gift. For in it there is this verse: John 6:20 - But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”

Luke 21:9-11 -

“And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.” Then he said to them,“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.”

Bible Gateway link: Luke 21:9-11 ESV

Bible Gateway link: John 6:20 ESV

It is not profound, but it is true. Whenever humans are involved in any institution there is corruption. But take heart, Jesus saw this first hand. He knows how we are. He offers us a way out.

Luke 19:45-46 

And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.”

-Bible Gateway link: Luke 19:45-46 (ESV)