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Because They Trusted In Him - 1Chr. 5:20
Because They Trusted In Him - 1Chr. 5:20
God established His covenant with Israel. God promised to bless and protect them, and their part of the covenant was to be faithful. This involved a heart that loved God and walked according to His instructions. Such did not require perfection for the covenant provided for the atonement and forgiveness of their sins, but it did require fear, trusting, and obeying God. The writer of Chronicles will emphasize this many times.
Jabez lived an honorable life, and thus, when he prayed, God heard and answered his prayers (1C. 4:9-10).
The tribes east of the Jordan, were helped in their wars and their enemies were given into their hands: "FOR they cried out to God in the battle, and He answered their prayers BECAUSE they trusted in Him" (1C. 5:20).
YET, later these same tribes were carried off into captivity by the Assyrians, because "they acted treacherously against the God of their fathers and played the harlot after the gods of the peoples of the land..." (1C. 5:25-26).
As you continue to read through 1 & 2 Chronicles, continue to watch for how God responds to His people. Ever faithful to His word, as they walk with Him, He provides for and protects them. When they turn away from Him, He not only refused to answer their prayers, He brought punishment upon them. During such times, the way of repentance and restoration was always open, yet many simply refused to return unto God.
We, of course, live under a new and different covenant. God has yet promised great blessings unto those in covenant relationship with Him, but he stills demands our faithfulness. There is the provision for forgiveness offered unto us when we sin and it still involves repentance and returning to walking with God (cp. Acts 8:22; 1John 1:8-9; 2:1-2; Rev. 2:10; etc.). How would the writer of Chronicles summarize your life with God? Hugh DeLong
