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Thorns – God’s grace is sufficient

On a recent walk, I got grabbed by the thorns of a Himalayan Blackberry bush as I passed by. They are mostly dormant now, but the thorns still grab the unwary.

These blackberry bushes produce delicious, prolific berries, but are highly invasive. They are the bane of many landowners and park operators.

Kathy and I joke that the blackberries are going to take over the world. They pop up in random spots and thrive. They crawl up and over anything in their path, including trees, cars, and fences. Their long branches hang down to snag on anything that passes by, and wherever those tendrils hit the ground, they root, and a new plant is started.

Getting grabbed (again) got me thinking about a familiar passage in the Bible. After receiving revelations from God, Paul writes:

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:6-10

There is a lot of speculation about what form that “thorn” from Satan’s messenger actually took. Was it a form of illness, chronic pain, a besetting sin? I don’t know, and scholars much more learned and wiser than I have debated it. If God had thought it crucial that we know, He would have been clearer.

What is clear is God’s response to Paul’s complaining, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

God’s grace is sufficient. No matter what thorns or problems we face, God’s grace is sufficient to carry the believer.

Everyone faces times of suffering and trial. It has been said that Christians face more than non-believers because our faith sets us up as targets. We’re not immune. Being a Christian doesn’t give us a get out of jail free card that allows us to bypass pain and suffering.

Quite the opposite, in fact. God’s grace allows thorns to strengthen us and make us more like Jesus. Paul writes: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5

We can go to God for relief from everything, but if it doesn’t happen how or when we want, we can still rejoice. His grace is enough.

Enough? For what? His grace is sufficient for whatever we face. His grace will outlast any suffering, trials, or thorns we will encounter.

Rejoice for God’s abundant, merciful, and perfect grace.

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.

Life – God has his hand on believers’ lives

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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.

The best news you will ever hear

The Gospel – the best news you will ever hear

7 January 2026
The call of the gospel

We’re almost a whole week into January, which means, statistically, 23% of people have already given up on their New Year’s resolution. By the end of the month, it will be 43%, and at year’s end, 92%. How are you doing on yours?

Some of those resolutions are reasonable; others are no more than castles carved in clouds or hopes strung across the clouds. They might have been pretty and well-intentioned, but in the end, they were unattainable dreams.

Most of us desire to be better people in some way, yet few have the discipline and drive to accomplish it. That’s why I’m glad Jesus understands our weakness.

He doesn’t expect us to get ourselves all cleaned up and find him. He doesn’t expect us to overcome all our sins and undo the damage under our own will and strength. Every other religion/faith is dependent on people doing all the work to get it together and find God.

I love how one writer describes the call of the gospel: “We are saved because God seeks and saves the lost. The Holy Spirit used the Gospel, shared by parents, friends, and loved ones with us, read in the pages of the Bible, and preached to us…”

He looks for us.

He accepts us where we are.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

He does the cleaning.

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29

That doesn’t let us off the hook; we participate in the process. Yet, it does mean that our issues aren’t handled under our own strength.

Our salvation and sanctification are in the hands of a loving God, not the fumbling hands of weak, desperate sinners. For that, we can rejoice.

Be blessed,

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.

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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

What is the gospel?

The Gospel – the best news you will ever hear

6 January 2026
Don’t forget it is God in the drivers seat not us

Welcome to 2026, the beginning of the second quarter of the 21^st century. That sounds like some futuristic time to me, not Monday morning.

My friend Lloyd is a cowboy and an old-fashioned teamster. That means he spends part of the year at Lake Louise taking people for horse-drawn sleigh rides (the photo today is one of his). He loves it. I’m sure he feels the joy I used to feel back in the days when I drove dog teams on winter trails.

Most of us love being in the driver’s seat. We like to have control over where we are going and how we get there. That’s true for a lot of things besides horses, dogs, and automobiles.

We want to be in control of our lives, God’s in charge of our own little world. Now, we might not be so brazen as to phrase it that way, but it’s in our hearts. We like to ignore the truth that its God in the Driver’s seat.

That desire to be like God was what caused humanity to stumble in the Garden of Eden. Eve and Adam ate the fruit (not, probably not an apple) because they didn’t trust God enough to listen to Him.

It’s why the Bible says things like,

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8

and

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9

We’re broken people living in a fallen world. All the manmade wisdom, tools, and technology can’t rescue us and redeem us. That’s why we needed a savior to set us free.

None of the false religions can free us. The atheists and humanists can’t do it. The trans-humanists with their vision of humanity integrated with machines won’t accomplish it. The people calling for the abolition of humanity as the cure for the world’s ills (a strange and self-destructive ideology) won’t save the planet.

We must put God in the driver’s seat. God isn’t our co-pilot; He is the divine architect and master of everything. He has the plan to redeem creation and all His children and the power to do it.

As we move forward into this new part of the century, let’s endeavor to put Him back in the driver’s seat, on the throne of our lives and allow Him free rein to conform us into the likeness of His Son.

May Jesus reign. May His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Praise His name.

Be blessed,

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.

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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.

The good news that can set you free

The Gospel – the best news you will ever hear

5 January 2026
Resolve to be more Christ like

With New Year’s Eve being tomorrow and the end of the holiday and weekend, we will return on Monday, January 5.

Yesterday, I touched on the celebration of the New Year and looked forward to what was to come. If you missed it, you can see it at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com/?p=3837

It got me thinking about New Year’s resolutions. People have been making them for about 4000 years. The ancient Babylonians made the earliest known resolutions during a festival called Akitu, held in March (their new year). They resolved to repay their debts and return borrowed items in hopes of gaining the gods’ favor.

By the fourth century AD, Christians were making resolutions that were more spiritual and reflective. Christians used the new year for self-examination, repentance, and renewal. Watch Night services encouraged believers to reflect on past mistakes and future improvement.

Even today, many people make resolutions to change their behavior in the coming year. We’re not very good at keeping those resolutions, spiritual or otherwise. Statistics show that 80% of resolutions don’t last until the end of the first month, and only about 8% survive the year.

We want to make changes solely out of sheer willpower. Yet, our flesh and wills are weak.

What if we resolve to be more Christ like? How can we do it?

We redevote ourselves to Him.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

We can resolve to pray more, love more, read the Bible more, fast, give more, serve, or do whatever we think will make us more like Jesus. The way will look different for all of us, although there will be common elements.

It’s still going to be a day-by-day, moment-by-moment, and decision-by-decision process to do that. We’re going to fail many times. We have to keep working at it.

One source puts it this way, “Becoming more Christ like is the desire of every believer, and it is encouraging to know that God has the same desire for us. In fact, the Bible says that God “predestined [believers] to be conformed to the likeness of his Son” (Romans 8:29). Making us Christlike is God’s work, and He will see it through to the end (Philippians 1:6).”

It is an impossible task on our own, but with the Holy Spirit, it will happen.

It’s not something that will change overnight; the journey of sanctification (being made holy) is lifelong. We need to stay the course, repenting and turning back when we fall down.

His goal is to make us more like Jesus. Let’s allow Him to work in us so that the task becomes easier.

Celebrate the little victories. Turn back from the failures and trust.

God will have His way. The changes may be incremental, but the results over time will be huge. We can say, “I’m not yet where I want to be, but by His grace I’m not where I used to be.”

May God richly bless you and may you resemble Jesus more each passing day. Happy New Year, my friends. May you become more Christ like.

Praise His name.

Be blessed,

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.

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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.

# Right Belief Must Become Right Living

30 December 2025
Jesus never changes – let’s celebrate that truth!

The Advent and Christmas seasons are over (unless you belong to an Orthodox Church, in which case you’ll be in the thick of things and celebrate Christmas on January 7). We have a few days until we ramp up for the New Year’s celebration.

When I was a child, I could hardly wait until I was old enough to stay up until midnight and celebrate the midnight hour. Then, for many years, it was New Year’s Eve parties. For a few years at “the cowboy church,” we did a New Year’s Eve gathering and started the New Year with communion at midnight.

Now, most years, the New Year slides in while I’m fast asleep.

I can remember when the 21^st century seemed a distant future. In a few days, we will already be a quarter of the way through it. The time flies.

The new year arrives, and the world trudges along in chaos and conflict. Some days it seems that evil is winning, and the times are getting darker. It might feel as if the church has lost its power.

The truth is, though, that God and His plan have not changed. He is still on the throne, and His will shall be done. We cane celebrate that truth.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

There is nothing that will happen without His foreknowledge, and nothing can change His plans.

The enemy will rage in the new year. The mockers will still mock, and the scoffers will still scoff. Sin will abound, even within the church, because the world is a fallen place. Blasphemers will still blaspheme. Leaders will come and go, and we will all face disappointments.

The world has gone insane. It celebrates darkness and denies even fundamental truths. We wonder, “How crazy will it get?”

Yet the Kingdom is here at least in part and has been growing like a mustard seed since the death and resurrection of Jesus. There are more Christians alive today than at any other point in history.

From a small band of believers, most of whom fled and hid at His death, to a worldwide movement numbering in the billions, the church grows. Even if the majority of those who claim Christianity aren’t truly believers, their numbers are staggering.

Whatever the coming years throw at us, God already has a plan to deal with it. He will use His church to bring light to a dark and hurting world. Let’s celebrate that.

As we near the New Year, we know the truth that the baby born in a manger grew up and gave His life for us. He rose again, defeating death and the grave, and is returning.

That’s good news any day of the year and worth celebrating.

Praise His name.

Be blessed,

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.

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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.

Live the Christian life to the fullest

# Right Belief Must Become Right Living

29 December 2025
Silent Night – Only it wasn’t – the heaven’s rejoiced

There will be no Gleanings over the next few days. We’ll return on December 27^th. There are hundreds of back issues on our website https://gleaningsfromtheword.com if you want a devotional during that time.

One of my favorite Christmas Carols is “Silent Night.”

Silent night, holy night!

All is calm, All is bright

Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child

Holy Infant so Tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace,

Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight!

Glories stream from heaven afar;

Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!

Christ the Savior is born!

Christ the Savior is born!

Silent night, holy night!

Wondrous star, lend thy light!

With the angels let us sing

Alleluia to our King!

Christ the Savior is here,

Jesus the Savior is here!

Silent night, Holy night!

Son of God, love’s pure light

Radiant beams from Thy holy face,

With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus Lord at thy birth;

Jesus Lord at thy birth.

It’s beautifully simple, a classic favorite. The tune portrays a serene, quiet scene on the night of Jesus’ birth.

The problem is that night would have been anything but quiet. Here’s what the Bible has to say…

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn Luke 2:4-7 ESV

Mary gives birth, something that doesn’t happen quietly. The child is laid in a manger, so there were animals, most of whom would likely have been disturbed by what was going on around them. Again, highly unlikely to be quiet.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12 ESV

That caused the shepherds to fear, and likely the sheep as well. Once again, no quiet.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Luke 2:13-20 ESV

The heavenly host appears, speaking into the night. The heaven’s rejoiced

The shepherds excitedly go into town to see the child and tell everyone what they saw. The shepherds may have even taken their flocks with them (the Bible doesn’t tell us what they did with them). If so, the noise and commotion would have been even greater.

The community would have been abuzz with excitement. The heaven’s rejoiced

A holy night? Absolutely.

Christ the Savior is born? Without question.

Something to celebrate? Unquestionable so.

Silent? Maybe for a moment here and there, but mostly, not.

Let’s celebrate the King’s coming with singing and praise like the shepherds, angels, and heavenly host.

Merry Christmas to you all. May the Lord bless you afresh with an understanding of His incarnation and great love for you.

Praise God for His love gift.

Be blessed,

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.

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23 December 2025
Enter through the narrow gate – know the truth

As we turned the bend, the path suddenly narrowed. A giant cedar and a smaller maple formed a gate of sorts. I had to stop and take a photo.

As I stood, several thoughts ran through my brain. First were Jesus’ words, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13-14

His meaning was clear, as the only path to salvation, many will opt for other “ways”, none of which have the power to save. While glory will hold untold numbers of people, it will still only have a remnant of those that God opened the door for.

Then my thoughts drifted to a magical realm. If you step past the tree gate, everything changes. On the other side are wondrous new things and beings. The gate may appear in an upcoming children’s story.

There is also a sense that the idea holds true in the spiritual realm. We enter through the narrow gate and, as believers, are given the Spirit. We begin to be transformed into the image of Christ. We have entered the kingdom of God, albeit not in its fullness.

We cannot see all that is to come, but we know it will be marvelous.

But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 1 Corinthians 2:7-10

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

Believers have passed through the doorway from Spiritual death to life. We will pass through the doorway into physical death to be resurrected to be with Him in a place too incredible to describe, and too marvelous to comprehend fully… yet.

Believers have nothing to fear from death. Non-believers have much to fear. If you have not yet done so, I encourage you to seek and take the narrow path with Jesus.

Praise God for His love gift.

Be blessed,

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.

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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.

22 December 2025
Christmas Carol – Saved but not by a trio of ghosts

On this day in 1843, Charles Dickens’ now classic “A Christmas Carol was first published. Our image today shows the cover of that edition. It was incredibly popular and sold out by Christmas. By the end of 1844, 14 editions had been published, each selling out.

The story was so popular that in 1849, he began public readings of A Christmas Carol, which proved so successful that he undertook 127 further performances until he died in 1870.

While set at Christmas time, the novella was meant as a social commentary on the world of Victorian London. He couldn’t have known that it would still be a widespread influence 182 years later.

There have been 80-100 English-language movies or television shows that are based on or adapted from this story. No official count is kept. Still, some industry officials say it is likely the most used script in the business.

While not overtly Christian in any form, it is filled with Christian themes of love, generosity, and redemption. There is a worldly sense in which Scrooge was saved by the ghosts. Those were messages that needed to be heard in Victorian England just as much as now.

All of us were self-centered versions of Ebenezer Scrooge before we became believers. Our sin may have been different than His, but we still were stuck in a place we couldn’t get free of.

Our salvation didn’t come in the form of the ghost of a dead partner, followed by the ghosts of Christmas, Past, Present, and Yet To Come.

We need more than the ghosts of a Christmas Carol. We need Jesus.

Our call to the cross didn’t come from fictional ghosts, but from the Holy Spirit pursuing us. Our deliverance came in the form of God made flesh and dying for our sins. It was a gift of grace and mercy.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

That gift was given out of love.

Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 4:1-2

For believers, our lives to come will be ones of celebration and peace. Even in our struggles in the meantime, He walks with us. Non-believers will realize that Jacob Marley got off easily, compared to eternal separation from God.

Praise God for His love gift.

Be blessed,

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.

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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.

Christmas spirits aside, how are we truly saved?

The Gospel – the best news you will ever hear

19 December 2025
Well Done Good and Faithful Servant

Time is flying by, and that has me in a reflective mood this morning.

In three days, the days will be getting longer again. In seven, it’s Christmas already. In fourteen days, we will be in 2026.

I remember being in high school and thinking how far away the turn of the century was. Now I hear kids talking about events of “the late 20^th century,” and I realize I’m not even vintage anymore. I’m an antique.

At a celebration for my parents’ 25^th wedding anniversary, I remember thinking what a long time it had been since they were married. Now, in just over a year, Kathy and I will hit our 50^th.

Where did it all go? What was it all for? A lot of it was probably wasted, still. I hope that some of the time over the past 67 Christmases (68, in a week) will have been of eternal value.

I still think of myself as a “new” believer, but in retrospect, I have been a believer for over three decades. Not all of that time was used wisely.

Fortunately, the Lord loves me and forgives my shortcomings. No one has missed salvation because of anything I did or didn’t do.

In Matthew 23, we read the parable of the talents. The master gives three men responsibility; two are faithful, and one is not.

To the faithful servants, the master says,

“…‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’” Matthew 23:21, 23

I long to hear those words.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m delighted that despite everything, I will be allowed into the Master’s presence by His grace and mercy. That gift was granted to me by faith (and even the faith itself was a gift).

I sometimes joke that I will be at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, but only to bus the tables. Yet, even that is far more than this sinful man deserves. I pray that you too will hear the words well done good and faithful servant.

I know His love, patience, grace, mercy, and faithfulness are real. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind about that.

Yet, I cannot even begin to fathom the depths of those things. I’m grateful for them, even if I don’t fully comprehend.

As we think of that helpless babe in a manger over the coming week, let’s take time to reflect on who He is and what He has done for us.

He is the reason for and the joy of the season.

Be blessed,

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.

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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.

Some thoughts on living the Christian life

# Right Belief Must Become Right Living

18 December 2025
A long but vitally important list

Most of us have our Christmas wish lists. Santa Claus has his naughty and nice list, but the Bible has its own lists.

The Gospel of Matthew starts in what might seem, to some, a weird and/or boring place. We often skip reading it.

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram,and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.

And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph,and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos,and Amos the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel,and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. Matthew 1:1:17 ESV

For most people, this long, painful list of names seems irrelevant, so why would Matthew start there?

The primary reason was to show Jesus’ lineage through His earthly father, confirming prophecy about the Messiah.

There is also a sense in which Matthew wanted us to see the fullness and inclusiveness of Jesus.

There are kings and great leaders listed… David, Abraham, and more. Peasants and royalty make the cut. Saints and sinners show up. Jew and gentile are on the list.

There are women on the list, which is uncommon in the ancient world.

Some of the names are well-known, others are almost totally obscure.

One commentator observes, “Some observe what a mixture there was of good and bad in the succession of these kings;… wicked Roboam begat wicked Abia; wicked Abia begat good Asa; good Asa begat good Josaphat; good Josaphat begat wicked Joram. Grace does not run in the blood, neither does reigning sin. God’s grace is his own, and he gives or withholds it as he pleases.”

The lineage of Jesus includes a good sampling of people, which is apt as He can to redeem all people regardless of gender, nationality, cultural background, social standing, or sin.

He came for you, me, and our neighbor. He came for that person we hate (although we shouldn’t) and that family member we are desperate to see saved.

Jesus keeps a list called the Lamb’s Book of Life. Through faith in Him, we can get our names on that list.

That’s the miracle we celebrate this time of year. The child was born to love the unlovable and save the unworthy (that includes us)

Let heaven and earth rejoice.

Be blessed,

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.

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