While reading an old journal, I recently discovered that my great-grandparents would end their nightly family prayers with, “Oh Lord, grant that our home may be like the home of Obed-Edom where the ark rested.” Who in the world was Obed-Edom?
I went looking. Sure enough, I found him in I Chronicles, his name sprinkled through chapters 13, 15, 16, and 26...not a "big player," just a very inspirational man who played a small part in the big story of God's leading in Israel.
You see, Obed-Edom was unafraid of the presence of God in the ark of the covenant. When a man had just been killed by its mere touch, when the ark needed a place to rest, Obed-Edom’s home was open. When the presence of the Lord, in the ark, left that place; Obed-Edom packed up and moved in order to follow it. His heart’s desire was for the presence of God.
Obed-Edom became a musician, and a keeper of the door before the ark. As a worship leader, his ministry was blessed. And the household and family of Obed-Edom were blessed as well. His eight sons and his grandsons, we are told, were also worshipers of the Lord. Obed-Edom’s household, extending now through the generations, was blessed by the Lord yet again. He created a legacy of faith.
That is our prayer today - for our families and for yours. Oh, that our homes would be like that of Obed-Edom, treasuring God’s presence and His word! When knowing God is the priority, all the secondary things fall into place.
Remember, dear friends, not to be discouraged by all you feel you must do, or all you feel is undone. Simply look to our great God and Father, and teach those around you to do likewise. Seek His face. Seek His heart. That is the greatest lesson, the greatest testimony, and the greatest treasure you can give your family and friends.
Blessed is the home where God and His word are treasured in honest hearts. Wise indeed are the parents who see that their family and their relationship with God are more important than the pressing needs of this world.
Like the household of Obed-Edom, may our homes be blessed by the presence of the Lord!
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up… You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deut. 6:6 - 7, and 9
Oh, Lord, help us to keep our priorities straight! Help us to seek Your face and Your presence above all. We humbly ask the honor of serving you through our lives, and we ask that Your blessing would extend generationally to our children and our children’s children. We humbly pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Blessings,
Cara & Patti
Classic Christianity
I went looking. Sure enough, I found him in I Chronicles, his name sprinkled through chapters 13, 15, 16, and 26...not a "big player," just a very inspirational man who played a small part in the big story of God's leading in Israel.
You see, Obed-Edom was unafraid of the presence of God in the ark of the covenant. When a man had just been killed by its mere touch, when the ark needed a place to rest, Obed-Edom’s home was open. When the presence of the Lord, in the ark, left that place; Obed-Edom packed up and moved in order to follow it. His heart’s desire was for the presence of God.
Obed-Edom became a musician, and a keeper of the door before the ark. As a worship leader, his ministry was blessed. And the household and family of Obed-Edom were blessed as well. His eight sons and his grandsons, we are told, were also worshipers of the Lord. Obed-Edom’s household, extending now through the generations, was blessed by the Lord yet again. He created a legacy of faith.
That is our prayer today - for our families and for yours. Oh, that our homes would be like that of Obed-Edom, treasuring God’s presence and His word! When knowing God is the priority, all the secondary things fall into place.
Remember, dear friends, not to be discouraged by all you feel you must do, or all you feel is undone. Simply look to our great God and Father, and teach those around you to do likewise. Seek His face. Seek His heart. That is the greatest lesson, the greatest testimony, and the greatest treasure you can give your family and friends.
Blessed is the home where God and His word are treasured in honest hearts. Wise indeed are the parents who see that their family and their relationship with God are more important than the pressing needs of this world.
Like the household of Obed-Edom, may our homes be blessed by the presence of the Lord!
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up… You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deut. 6:6 - 7, and 9
Oh, Lord, help us to keep our priorities straight! Help us to seek Your face and Your presence above all. We humbly ask the honor of serving you through our lives, and we ask that Your blessing would extend generationally to our children and our children’s children. We humbly pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Blessings,
Cara & Patti
Classic Christianity
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