Bible reading: Genesis 34, 35.
“When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.” – Ecclesiastes 5:4 (KJV).
When people are complaining about the turbulence in the water; the tsunami, the hurricanes, the fish in the water is just smiling and having a good day. This is because the fish is in its environment. Anytime we move out of our place of purpose and destiny, we begin to struggle and get frustrated in life. Anytime we miss our place in life, we are totally misplaced in our journey of life.
We have seen such effect in the life of Jacob. First he was with Laban, and not really listening to God, he was leaning in the arms of his own self. Then the lord takes him to Penial. There he wrestle with the lord, Jacob held unto Him until he was blessed. Yet He was not totally there.
In our text, God told him to move his family back to Bethel, where He had appeared to him, to build an alter, a home there. Hitherto, Jacob commanded his household to put away the strange gods that are among them and be clean.
We must need to be sanctified and separated for the masters use. We must need to deal with our old self. Until our flesh is totally sanctified and consecrated, he will never be committed. Jacob wants to follow God, but he must first deal with his old man.
Its time to return back to God, it is time for us to get rid of our idols, our pleasures, the pride, and sin to come back to God. Its time to be sanctified and consecrated for the masters use. God does not call a man to just use him, He calls a man to MAKE him. He is a maker of men. He is faithful to accept you back.
God had given Jacob a new name that he may make a new start, a new life with God again. God wants to have a new relationship with us, He wants to give us new vision, new purpose. What a love! What then shall separate you from this love? is it the difficulties, the lack of job, the striving for acceptance, family problem, divorce, sin. Make that decision this day to RETURN BACK TO HIM. He is always waiting to accept you. HE LOVES YOU.
Prayer:
Father, I come to you. I lay down my life and my all to you. Use me, make me, transform me for your service in Jesus name, Amen.
Pastor Chido Iroha