Genesis 29-31 Psalm 34 John 10
The story of Jacob, now called
Israel, returning after 20 years of exile to the land of his birth is an
interesting one from a number of perspectives. In Genesis 29 to 31 the life of
deception and misdirection continues. There are times that it feels like the guilty
are getting away with their lies and theft. But, this story is also one of
long-term fear as shown in Israel’s fear of Esau after 20 years and his wanting
to buy salvation. Esau offers grace and a sense that he sees his role in this whole
story too.
As Jacob prepares meet Esau there
is that wonderful story of wrestling with God and holding on in the midst of
battle. There is a lesson there for each of us. Jacob was at a point that he
feared the future and the sins of his past would come back to destroy him. How
often do we wrestle with God but wonder if it is worth holding on?
Psalm 34 we are reminded to praise
the Lord at all times by setting him apart from all others. When we seek the
Lord he delivers us from our fears. A call to depart from evil, do good and to
seek peace and then pursue it going forward. All of this is true not because of
what we have done, but what the Lord has done for us. We are also reminded that
great afflictions comes with traveling the ways of God.
Reading John 10 this morning I a
again reminded that following Jesus and doing so with integrity will create
conflict and division. There will always be those that will demand that their
way is better and that their way is the only way. The truth is that only way to
God is through Jesus and understanding who he is so we can better reflect him
to the world.
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