Christ’s Surpassing Worth (1 Chronicles 8:40)

The sons of Ulam were men who were mighty warriors, bowmen, having many sons and grandsons, 150. All these were Benjaminites.
—1 Chronicles 8:40

So that’s the end of this chapter that recounts the genealogy of Saul. So it’s a bunch of names in 1 Chronicles 8, including Saul, who was of the tribe of Benjamin. Now, the reason I want to lead us to pray according to that verse is that when I read it, my mind immediately goes to another Saul/Paul in the New Testament.

And in Philippians 3, he is talking about his lineage. And he’s saying, I have a lot of reason for confidence in my flesh. He then starts giving a list of things that are in his background. Was circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin. Like, I came from the tribe of the first king of Israel. And by the way, my name is Saul. Like, I was named after the first king of Israel.

1 Chronicles 8:40 points us to the eternal value of gaining Christ.

He goes on to talk about, I’m a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee. In other words, I kept the law so closely and strictly; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church. He’s basically saying, I’m defending what I think is the people of Israel. As to righteousness under the law, Paul says, I’m blameless. This is all in Philippians 3:5–6.

But then he says in verse 7, “Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.” He says, “I count everything loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” And as I read those verses in Philippians 3, and I think about 1 Chronicles 8, I just want to remind you today that every good thing you might be able to point to in your life does not compare with the surpassing worth of simply knowing Jesus as your Lord.

I just want to encourage you to live in that reality today. Yes, to be thankful for God’s grace in your life in so many ways, for God’s gifts in your life in so many different ways. Yes, we should be thankful for all people, most grateful for God’s grace in so many ways. And yet, at the same time, don’t forget that all the treasures of this world put together are as dung. That’s what Paul says here. You keep reading on in verse 8; it says, “For Jesus’ sake I’ve suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him.”

1 Chronicles 8:40 points us to the eternal satisfaction found in Christ.

So let’s just pray today and say, in a fresh way, all over again: Lord Jesus, you are infinitely better than everything this world offers us, all the good things that you give us, oh God, in this world. Jesus, you’re infinitely better than all of them put together, in such a way that if everything were to be taken from us, as long as we have you, we have life, eternal life. We have joy, eternal joy, eternal peace, eternal satisfaction because we have you.

Oh God, help us to live this reality in our lives today, seeking you, worshiping you, thanking you, walking with you, trusting you, and being satisfied in you, Jesus, over and above everything in this world, including so many good things in this world. Jesus, we praise you as infinitely better than them all.

And God, we pray that you’d help us to lead others to the treasure that’s found in you, Jesus. Help us to love others enough to share the good news of how they can experience the surpassing worth of knowing you as Lord.

A Prayer for the Tumbatu Swahili People

God, we pray this over the nations. We pray this over the Tumbatu Swahili people of Tanzania, for a hundred thousand of them, almost all of whom have little to no knowledge about who you are, Jesus. The treasure you are. What you’ve done on the cross for their sin. How you’ve risen from the dead so they might experience life in you.

God, we pray for the Tumbatu Swahili people of Tanzania to be reached with the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord. Even as we pray that you would help us to live in the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord.

In his name we pray. Amen.