The sons of Naphtali: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer and Shallum, the descendants of Bilhah.
1 Chronicles 7:13
Father, I find it odd that not much is said about Naphtali’s decedents. In a section of the Scriptures replete with genealogies, we are just told the names of four individuals, the children of Bilhah, a proverbial “blip” in the canonical account. Even more odd is that Dan and Zebulun are missing.
As I reflect upon this, I must confess that sometimes I feel that way, as if everyone around me is infinitely more significant than I am. When I look at what they are able to accomplish, the doors that You have opened for them, the recognition that they garner and the heights to which they have attained, I find myself asking, “What about me?” It’s not a spirit of jealousy or envy. Instead, it’s a deep longing to be a person of significance for You and the Kingdom, and a sense of feeling left out.
It is in those lowest of moments that You, Father, remind me of who I really am. Not just the person who my mother and father named me and raised me to be. Though important and significant, it does not truly define who I am.
So who am I? I am a child of the Most High God, the head and not the tail, one called out to do great and wonderful things for Your Kingdom. I am not an afterthought or an “also ran” in this race I call life. No. I have been meticulously formed and fashioned for a purpose beyond my comprehension right now. You have given me new life in Christ Jesus, coming specifically for me in that moment. And though I may not right now feel as if who I am and what I have to offer is significant, in the grand scheme of things regarding Your coming Kingdom, I have wonderfully unique role to play that only I can do. That is mind blowing! Hallelujah!
So today, if I begin to feel sorry for myself, feeling looked over and deemed insignificant, remind me of the price that was paid for my redemption. Remind my soul of the sacrifice that was made on my behalf so that I could become part of Your glorious family. Remind me that Jesus truly had me on His mind when He stayed up there on that cross. Remind me of truly who I am, but more importantly WHOSE I am. I am not an afterthought. I am not an “also ran”. I am not a blip on the historical screen of life. I am a glorious outworking of Your love, grace and mercy. I am being transformed with ever increasing glory into the likeness of Your Son. And today it hath not appeared what I shall be like. But when He returns I shall be like Him! And this You would not do for just anyone. You only do this for YOUR children, of which I am one! Because of this, my soul rejoices! Thank You Father! Amen!