Family Tree

 Day 44:  Numbers 26:1-65

I have been to a lot of funerals in my life.  I have presided over hundreds of funerals in my ministry career.  I have heard the cries of countless families as they stood at the casket saying one last goodbye.  The emotions were raw and difficult to watch and hear.  It is sad and painful to see so many experience the hard reality of having to say their last goodbyes to the ones they love so much.

Number 26 takes us on a family tree expedition.  It's a family tree featuring the twelve tribes of Israel's fighting force which was 601,730 within the family of fighters.  The reality of this family tree is a reminder of the declaration God made that not one original Israelite that came out of Egypt would step one foot into the Promise Land. 

My family tree now has new family members and also family who is no longer on this earth.  The family tree has all of my grandparents, mom, brother, aunts, uncle and cousins have left this life.  However, there have been grandchildren, nieces, nephews, in-laws and cousins who have been added to the family tree.  

The family tree is a reminder of our family.  Reading the names takes us on a journey to places and conversations we've had with our loved ones who are no longer with us.  The family tree is a symbol of who we are and the family we came from.  The family tree represents our heritage and past.  

Spiritually, our family tree is so much bigger than we can ever imagine.  The family tree is filled with prophets, apostles, disciples and Christians from every continent, ethnicity and color.  The spiritual family tree is made up of all sinners who have been saved through the sacrifice of Jesus.  

Our physical and spiritual family trees have one common denominator...God made every single one of us and placed us exactly where we needed to be.  Both trees are important for our past, present and future understanding of who we are and where we came from.  

May we do our best to be kind, loving, caring and patient with everyone on both family trees. 

Remember, Be God Controlled!