“Then God put it into my heart to gather the nobles, the rulers, and the people that they might be registered by genealogy.” Nehemiah 7:5

Author of the Ages

Walk His Way Revisited

This may seem to be an oddball verse for a devotional, but as I read this chapter in Nehemiah and saw the long list of names of those who had come to the land in the first return, I began to think about why God would record this in the Bible. You see, the mind of God intrigues me. I know His thoughts are higher than mine. I know the most powerful and complex computers pale in comparison with Him. His wisdom and creativity take my breath away. His knowledge knows no limits. On the other hand, my mind is scattered, distracted, contains limited knowledge, (half of which I have forgotten), and is easily deceived.

As I read my Bible I notice this about God. He keeps books. He makes lists. He registers names. Why He does this escapes me. He knows it without recording it. His mind contains all wisdom and knowledge. He never forgets or misplaces anything. Is it for our benefit? Or is for the angels to marvel at? Will we peruse these volumes one day and gaze in awe at the chronicles of saints and mighty deeds and miracles and epic events that have swept over the ages? I know not, but the mystery beckons me.

Here are a few of the books I noted in scripture, and there are ever so many. The book of the law is the most common reference. In addition, Psalm 56:8 says, “You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in Your book?” Note that He tracks our wanderings and saves our tears. Nothing escapes Him! And it all seems to be so important to Him that He chronicles it.

Psalm 69:28 says, “Let them be blotted out of the book of the living; and not be written with the righteous.” Psalm 139:16 says, “Your eyes saw my substance being yet unformed and in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.”

Malachi 3:16 says, “Then they that feared the Lord spoke often to one another: and the Lord hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name.”

Books.

He also makes lists. Lists of furnishings for the tabernacle, lists of offerings, and lists of peoples (genealogies).

Lists.

And then there are names. It matters to God who we are and He sees those things we do for His kingdom. Can you imagine having your name written in the pages of scripture for countless generations to see and know what you did for God and what God did for you? Can you imagine saints down the years reading that you were bold, courageous, and stood firm in the face of adversity?

Our own name may not be found on the written pages of the Bible, but I know books are written in heaven, names are recorded, and lists are compiled. God knows every act and deed undertaken for His name. Surely these endeavors rejoice His heart.

So what kind of book are we writing? What does our husband see? How are our children “reading” us? We are telling a story with our lives. It is a grand tale of glory and beauty and never-failing love. It is a sweeping extravaganza of God’s grace. We are part of this eternal story. Let us tell it boldly and faithfully throughout all ages.

Father, You are an incomparable writer, a methodical chronicler, a magnificent historian. I can’t wait to explore eternity, peruse ancient records, unravel mysteries, and discover the wonder of all You are. God of wonders, You delight our souls and our imaginations. Great is the Lord! Amen.