SCRIPTURE: Genesis (NIV) 35:1 Then God said to Jacob, “Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau.” 2 So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. 3 Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.” 4 So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods they had and the rings in their ears, and Jacob buried them under the oak at Shechem. 5 Then they set out, and the terror of God fell upon the towns all around them so that no-one pursued them.
OBSERVATION: Jacob set himself to obey God, to go to Bethel, establish his household there and build an altar to God. Since they were committing themselves to Jehovah God, they needed to get rid of any foreign gods and take off clothing that may have been designed around those gods.
And as they moved out in obedience, the Lord set the greatest security system any people ever had. Fear! Not because they were such a great company, they were really few in number. Not a fear because they were mighty warriors. No, it was the “terror of God!” Jacob was doing his part (obedience); God was doing HIS part!
APPLICATION: When I walk in obedience, I am finding that God takes care of the problems I may face because I am doing His will. I am faithful to tithe on my income; God is faithful to provide the many aspects of life—finance, housing, transportation, medical, etc. And above all of that, I have the joy of being a friend of God! Wow!
I am faithful to write the SOAPs and He is faithful to provide what finances may be needed. He knows the finances better than I, so I work with what He provides. I know my part and I am confident that He knows His part.
PRAYER: Lord, find me faithful doing what you have given me to do. I know I have found you faithful to keep your word. The more I am in your word and get your word into my heart, the more faith grows in my heart. You are trustworthy, so I will “Trust and Obey!” Amen
Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!
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