Not Another Genealogy- Encouragement for Today - August 7, 2026

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August 7, 2026 

Not Another Genealogy
Darcie Fuqua, COMPEL Pro Member 

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“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope” (Romans 15:4, NIV).

I sat down with my coffee, chronological Bible study, and a brown leather Bible that was finally getting worn edges. Closing my eyes, I prayed to the Holy Spirit to speak through His Word and grant me divine wisdom. Eagerly I opened the study and …

Not another genealogy! Lord, I'm honestly not loving this part of the Bible. 

My readings were bouncing back and forth between 1 Chronicles and Psalms. I literally sang for joy on the days of reading Psalms. I wasn't sure if I could handle another day of Old Testament bloodshed or roll call, but I was committed, so I begrudgingly started tracing my finger across the page line by line. 

Name I can't pronounce, the descendant of another name I surely cannot fathom saying out loud … 

Finished, I shut the book. Instead of starting my day feeling peaceful and refreshed, I felt defeated by my impatience and apparent attitude problem. There was no "download" of divine wisdom that morning. 

Has your Bible study time ever felt like a chore instead of a blessing? Are you ever tempted, like me, to skip through the “dry” parts to get to the parting-seas stories? 

Yet Romans 15:4 states, “Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Every name, every hard story, and every happy ending in the Bible is God-breathed and equips us for good work as servants of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 

The entirety of Scripture teaches us about God’s character, even the family histories. The lengthy lists of real people living real lives not only substantiate the historical accuracy of the Bible but also highlight the fact that God cares about details and shows special interest in His children. Genealogies also confirm prophecy and reveal how God handpicked imperfect and often overlooked people as the ancestors of the Messiah. 

Honestly I still don’t enjoy reading genealogies or stories about gruesome, dark deeds. However, I’m shifting my study time from transactional to relational. I still pray for God to speak His wisdom to me. Then I pray to savor our time together and to build a deeper connection with the Lord regardless of the biblical content. 

Friend, don’t let one passage or hard-to-understand chapter dissuade you from reading the Bible as the love letter it was always intended to be. God’s Word is designed to draw us into nearness with Him. I promise if you focus on knowing the Author better, you will fall even more in love with Him. 

Father, please help me approach all of Scripture with an open heart and mind. I desire for my study time to deepen and strengthen my relationship with You. Each time I open my Bible, may I come to know You more and learn how to walk more closely with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS
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ENGAGE
Today’s devotion writer, Darcie Fuqua, is a COMPEL Pro Writers Training member and a winner of the annual Encouragement for Today Devotion Writing Challenge. To find out more about COMPEL Pro’s writing challenges and how to become a member today, click here.

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FOR DEEPER STUDY
2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (NIV).

This year, I began praying every day for a genuine love of studying Scripture. I’ve noticed now when I read my Bible, I approach it with greater eagerness, curiosity, and captivation. 

How do you approach your study time when you are reading through passages that are difficult to comprehend? Share your tips and prayers with us in the comments.

© 2026 by Darcie Fuqua. All rights reserved.

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