Prayer Journal

Tuesday, November 11, 2003

The descendants of Recab were called Recabites and were a perculiar sort. They didn't drink wine, build or dwell in houses, sow seed or plant vineyards. I doubt they'd fit into one of today's Christian Financial Seminars that teach godly stewardship.

Because of their conviction to obey their father and his father before him, the Recabites lived as nomads in tents instead of houses constructed on a piece of land they owned. Their obedience to the command of their forefather Recab was the single factor for their long life in the land God gave them. Others invested in the land while they invested in righteousness.

Around 600 BC, the tribe of Recab hid out and remained behind in Jerusalem while the rest of the people were taken off into captivity to Babylon. Jeremiah commended them for their commitment and said their attitude of obedience is what God wanted to see in his people. Instead, the tribe of Judah was just the opposite, seemingly always victims of their circumstance instead of victorious in the promises of the Lord.

If you're a believer, you probably don't live in a tent and you might enjoy working in a garden. Relax - the message today isn't about selling your property and becoming a nomad like the Recabites. But I must ask this: does the Lord find in you a faithful servant like those who listen to His word and truly take it to heart? Does your life demonstrate a willingness to do what God's word tells you to do regardless of what everyone else is doing? Are you training your sons and daughters to be equally faithful to God's word after you pass from this life?

Today, I challenge you to be a man or woman after God's own heart after the testimony of the Recabites: eyes on the work in front of you, but steadily focused on God's word; faithful to stay where you are, but also willing to move if God's Spirit leads you to do so. God said that there would always be a man of Recab's family who would serve Him. God make us "spiritual" Recabites and then help us apply the same mold on our kids.

Teach us Father, that being a good father here on earth means that we obey Your word rather than living it up on the fruit of the land. Give us the confidence in Your word that inspires us to be godly fathers who raise godly kids by being a godly example to them, rather than just teaching them. May there be one of our descendants who is found faithful when you return.

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