Undeserving as I am - a short story

My name is Jazaaniah,

I'm writing this as a testimony. I belong to the Rechabite clan. Though we do not belong to any of the tribes of Israel, we are also true Israelites. We have been with them since they came to the promised land.

Yes we are different people. We are nomads, we are teetotallers, we do not own any property. Because of all these we are made fun of by others. We are called water drinkers for nothing. Me being the elder of this nomadic society I had to know how to strengthen my community.

Our ancestor Jehonadab Ben Rechab had made a vow and forbade his brothers to be stringent regarding these. He was sure, this is from God. We have been trying to be true to Jehovah. Because we were sure that He alone is God. No country would be protected and provided for like Israel, unless the Living God is with them. We were sure. Though we were gentiles, we were sure we are part of His kingdom.

It was hard to see the children go wayward as we the outsiders were looking on.

The country was divided into two. There was idol worship all around. But we stuck on to our convinctions. Our ancestors words we followed. Because we feared the Lord. No radical explanation. But we simply believed and obeyed.

I used to tell my clan. The meaning of my name is 'The Lord hears'. Yes the Lord will hear what we are doing and why we are doing and we will be rewarded. Though we are literally aliens, though we live like aliens, we are His children too.

I used to tell them that all these pleasures and all these settling in this world is useless. That is why we are called to do this. It's indeed a privilege to do this. Even to the real children we are a testimony, adopted children as we are, we love our God. Let them see our love to God and repent and come back.

We are nomads, we are aliens, because we look above with faith for a better kingdom. The kingdom promised to David, where His descendant would reign forever.

We are called to obey what our ancestor has told. We will continue to do it.

Years have gone by. Centuries have passed. Our obedience was looking useless. Slowly there were some grumblings arising within our community.

That was when one day Jeremiah the great prophet came to meet me. He has been running around the whole nation asking to repent. He is a man of God. He comes over. We provided our greatest delicacies. But He doesn't touch those. He invites us over to the Temple over a drink of wine.

I'm shocked. Doesn't he know that we have our vow. Is he trying to make fun of us too? But he is a man of God? Is God making fun of us too?

Has all these obedience amounted to nothing. And if we reject, will he curse? Will He punish?

I'm not that strong in faith. Is God telling us to come out of this vow? What if the vow was unnecessary?

I prayed to God Almighty. Help us Lord. Give us wisdom. As a community we prayed. We fasted.

No, Jazaaniah, you have been called to obey. Rechabites have been called to obey. We will continue to obey. We will tell Jeremiah.

"No, we don't drink wine because our ancestor Jehonadab, son of Rechab gave us this command"

We will continue to obey our ancestor, because we believe our ancestor has been instructed by our God.

Not sure, how Jeremiah will react. Fearful we make our commitment. We stand our ground.

Then Jeremiah says something which we couldn't even fathom.

The Rechabites know how to obey. Why don't you oh! Children of Israel. Did he compare us as an example to emulate? Is God telling that we did the right thing? Wow.

"The descendants of Jehonadab will always serve me, says the Lord"

Is this true? I can't believe my ears. Oh!

Yes the Lord has heard our plea.

We are no longer aliens. We are His children too. Our obedience and our persistence He has seen. Because He enabled. He now blesses. What a privilege, to serve Him always. We were not worthy. But He has been gracious to include us too in the fold. Though in this time of exile, He has chosen to bless. Jeremiah is smiling at me, patting at my shoulder. I know that's the smile of God.

I did not win any contest or a match. But this is beautiful. This is a privilege. This is for eternity he says. Wow. What have we done to receive this.

This means the exile will be over as Jeremiah prophesied. This means that the coming of the Messiah is also true, of the lineage of David. We will be serving Him. Wow. What a privilege. We did not deserve.

Eternally grateful for the eternal privilege.

Image credit: https://www.newfoodmagazine.com/news/168361/humanitarian-organisations-call-on-leaders/

Comments

Forgiveness is the first step

Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch. Acts:14:21. In Lystra, they were stoned and dragged out of the city. To Lystra they come back to strengthen and encourage. What a commitment? What love to the people of Lystra? What surity of their calling? They both go back to the very place that tortured them. To the very place they suffered. We would never go back to the very place! Scared? Hatred? Indignation? What if God asks you to go back? Would you give excuses? Would you still love the person, who stood against you? Would you hate or love him/her? If you understand the truth that, calling is unto a person not to a place, nor unto people, then it becomes easy to forgive. Forgiveness is something which needs grace, much grace. If God could forgive me yet again, how much should I? For Jesus taught us to pray - Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Image credit: https://coriechu.com/blog/forgiveness-and-healing

Rom:1:8

Yesterday, after the India vs Australia ICC WWC semifinal, these words hung in the air after the player of the match Jemimah Rodrigues was given the stage. Your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. Rom:1:8 A church which was not even started by Paul. Paul wouldn't probably have known these people personally. But he commends their faith. You want to be a silent Christian because you are not a bold Christian. Do your colleagues know that you are a Christian? Not by name. Is there a difference between you and the nominal Christian? Between you and the carnal Christian? Do you freely proclaim that the author and finisher of your faith is Jesus? Image credit: https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/womens-world-cup-2025-cried-every-single-day-went-through-anxiety-jemimah-rodrigues-opens-up-after-historic-knock-against-australia/?amp=1

Accomplished. Satisfied.

After David had done the will of God in his own generation, he died and was buried. Acts:13:36. David was given a job to do. And He did well. You are dearly loved by God and He has a wonderful plan for you. When your name is called, will you stand before the righteous Judge and hear the testimony, that really matters, "Well done, good and faithful servant." What is your long term and short term desire? Your short term plans need to be based on your long term desire. Not materialistic or career based. Regarding the Kingdom of God, what has been your timeline? How do you plan further? Which subspeciality is your focus? Teaching, apologetic, discipling, counselling, teens, adults, children, organisation, devotions, families? Have you sat and thought about it? What is your mission and vision? Each step you take is it in line with this? Accomplished is a very satisfying word. Not for selfish motifs. What have you accomplished for your King? For your Father? Image cre...

Calm

Those who beat him and dragged him out of the city, how does Paul address them? Acts:22:1. Brothers and esteemed fathers.... He calmly addresses them, who hates him, who want him killed. No defending. Not justifying. Not perturbed. Just calmness, overflowing love. How could he do that? He knows how much Jesus loves him who persecuted His children, that same love He has for these people, that same love He also ought to have. Paul is not selfish to protect himself. He is ready to die now in this city as prophesied by Agabus. But he is passionate of his Saviour. He is passionate to tell these people how to be saved. Lord, give me this attitude of love to those who hate me. Give me this calmness. Image credit: https://www.pexels.com/search/calm%20sea/

Be encouraged and be an encouragement

Acts 27:22 None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. The confidence Paul has in his God. The intimacy. The surity of His revelation. Not just about him. Also about his fellow crew. The ship. Their destiny. How can I know God like this? How can I be sure of His hand in my life and those in connection with me? The confidence is directly proportional to the time I spend with Him. Idling away in phone when you get a moment out, hanging out with your best buddies? Or when I get a moment, do I rush to the Word? Nabeel Quereshi, a Muslim who later got converted to Christ, got his first exposure to real Christianity, when he saw his closest friend David Wood, reading the Bible in his free time. He was shocked and amazed seeing this. A devout Islam (then) was awestruck and challenged by this discipline. What do I do with little time I get in between work? What do my innocent children see me do when I want to relax? What standards I have kept in ...

Time is running out

Acts 24 Felix the governor. Had a Jewish wife named Drusilla. Quiet familiar with the Way. Sent for Paul. Listened as Paul told about the faith in Christ Jesus. Paul reasoned with him. He should have reasoned back too. Felix becomes frightened. Go away for now. When it is more convenient, I will call you again. Hoped that Paul would bribe him. Sent for him quiet often. Talked with him. Succeeded by Portius Festus. So close yet, not sure. So many opportunities squandered. When he was the governor, he got enough exposure to the Way. Then at one point when he is stripped of his privileges, no one knows about his destiny. Now you have enough opportunities and freedom to know the person of Jesus. If you do not make use of it now, no one can be sure of the future. Be aware. 2 Cor:6:2. Now is the time of God's favour, now is the day of salvation. Eph:5:16. Making most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Life is brief. Opportunities will become rare. Now when it i...

No time to rest

Acts 28 As Paul arrives in Rome, where he is expected to be trialled and executed, he doesn't waste time. He calls to the local leaders and discussed with them about the Good News. No time to rest. Lord give me such a passion to take every opportunity to share about you. Give me such love for you. Give me such love for others who are perishing in their own sin. Why is my heart not aching seeing this? Help me to do things tirelessly for you. Make every opportunity to teach the Word, to your children. To people around you. Tell them about the standards of this holy God. Tell them about the endless love of the Father, the impeccable obedience of the Son and never ending presence of the Spirit. The goodness of the Triune God. The uniqueness of this Almighty. An everpresent help in trouble. You cannot sit idly. Lord fill me with your passion, an unending desire to share about you always. Image courtesy: https://medium.com/personal-growth/this-is-what-hard-work-is-and-why-it-...

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