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

Thresh

Micah:4:12 That He is gathering them together To be beaten up and trampled Like sheaved of grain on a threshing floor. The Lord gathers together to beat and trample. Oh! Isn't it mean? How can a loving God allow this? He is supposed to be our fortress and our refuge. He is expected to protect. He should in fact gather to bless. Not to trample. Not to beat up. Oh! I am bleeding. Doesn't He see it? My tears have gone waste? The query that came to the bard's mind, as he was pondering whether God is good or cruel, a blessing God or a naive entity is this - What is blessing? How do you define blessing? Very often the word blessing is linked to - all would go well. Well that is true in one angle. But the problem is man is tuned to think only finitely. All would definitely go well - for sure. God speaks about eternity. Not about the riches we inherit. But about character. About transforming into the image of Christ. About abundant life. And this threshing is the

Name

But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved Joel:2:32 In His name there is salvation. And if you call on His name you will be saved for sure. Jesus. Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and the end. In Him and through Him and for Him everything was created. Son of God. Son of David. Root of Jesse. Lion of Judah. The Lamb who was slain. In His name there is freedom. In His name there is deliverance. Why? Because He alone has done the redemptive act on the cross. No other name could do that. Sinless perfect lamb of God became a sin offering instead of me. He alone is worthy to do that. Therefore His name frees. His name delivers. His name saves. Jesus. Image credit: https://www.photoland.in/product/wood-arts/wooden-name-plate/personalized-name-board-name-plate-wooden-engraved-name-plate-design-10/

The Holy Temple

Micah:1:5 Where is the center of idolatory on Judah? In Jerusalem; it's capital. The very place which was supposed to be kept sacred and holy, has now been defiled and become the very center of desecration. Fully polluted and corrupted. Why should He not be wrathful? The heart of holiness; which was supposed to be the throne of the most High God with all His richness and glory has been befouled and debased. The very heart dear bard - which is supposed to be the temple of the most Holy God, what all do you entertain? Confines the king to a corner in your quiet times and church and bible study. As if you give charity and satisfy Him and then you do whatever you want, the rest of the time. You think you can fool around with His holiness? This is one chant that goes up in heaven for eternity - Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty. Oh! Don't nullify it with your fancies. He is serious about His holiness. And that is why sin had to be tackled with. Not just brushed

Keep your promise forever

Ps:146:6 He keeps every promise forever. Everyone loves promises. It is even more beautiful when the promise is fulfilled. God is a God of promises and He is faithful. What He promises He always fulfills. Not even one goes wayward. There is no doubt about the general promises He makes in the Bible. One by one we see them fulfilled through the story of Israel and early church. There are enough and more personal promises which are staring at you face on. He is faithful to fulfill all of them too forever. It is upto us to believe and live a peaceful life trusting in the One who called us. Rather than like a high tension wire, ready to snap. Can we believe - He will take care. He is enough. He is sufficient. He is faithful. He never changes. He will not sleep nor will He slumber. He keeps His promises forever. Amen. Image credit: https://everydaypower.com/promise-quotes/

Delight

Ps:147:11 The Lord's delight is in those who fear Him If you delight in Him, He will delight in you. Oh! Is it like tit for tat? No dear bard! He has already delighted in you. He has loved you while you were still His enemies. You are mine He declares. You are His signet ring, He proclaims. Not because you fear Him. Not because He foreknew you would fear Him. But because He loves. Hosea was asked to marry a harlot and he continued to love her despite her unfaithfulness. Just like He continues to delight in you oh! Bard despite your persistance and adamancy. Oh! What love. Where else can you find such love. Image credit: https://butternutbakeryblog.com/moist-chocolate-cake/

When you don't have anything else to do......

In the fish's belly Jonah was there for three days and three nights. In that dark place, he could only look to God. He could not run away, which he was so specialized in. He couldn't do anything else which he was an expert. He couldn't do anything he wanted to desperately do. All he could do was to sit in God's presence. Sometimes God places you in circumstances where you can only pray. You can do nothing else. And at that time, please pray. Do not try to do anything else. Even if you do not feel like praying, that is the time when you are supposed to. Helpless as you are, you can open up to your Father. Words do not matter at that time. Even a drop of tear is enough. You might not be a prolific pray-er. But remember the Father is always listening. Image credit: https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/man-praying-on-knees

RRRR

Obadiah 20-21 As Edom receives all punishments, Israel is blessed. Israel is chosen to come back from exile. From the ends of the earth, they are called back into God's bosom. They - Return Resettle Rescued Rule Not because they repented and came back to the Lord. Even before they repented, He paved the way back. The door was already kept open for coming back. The choice had to be made though for them to actually return, to resettle, to be rescued, to rule. They had to make that choice. Yet the road was already set to accept them back. There was no uncertainty whether God would allow. The cross has already paved the way, the ship has already been set for return, for bringing them back. But I have to board the ship. If I don't, the loss is all mine. The ship with all its aboard passengers will sail to the promised shore, for sure. Jesus is calling- to return, to resettle, to be rescued and to rule. Will you accept? Image credit: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cr

The halfbaked Bard

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