Coming to Terms

DO YOU feel down about your finances, marriage, and job where you don't make enough?

Do you feel hopeless and helpless—and want to walk away?

There's no doubt that the down feeling is a bad one. However, you're not alone.

The bible is full of wanderers—many of who wondered where God was in their situation.

Jacob was one of them.

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INSTEAD OF WAITING on God, he took matters into his hands.

He stole Esau's birthright and travelled in reverse.

Worse than running from his brother was the feeling of loneliness and the sensing of an uncertain future.

He stopped to sleep one night and saw a stairway sitting on earth and reaching the heavens.

The angels of the Lord were ascending and descending on it—above it stood the Lord.

And God said, "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (Genesis 28:14-15)

Jacob experienced reality as God knows it.

And when he rose, he called the place Bethel, the house of God, the gate of heaven.

My prayer for you is that you will have a divine encounter with God so that you will know Him more.

"In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it?" ― John R. W. Stott.

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WE CAN WORSHIP Him because he knows what it is to suffer.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)

He knows your pain.

When you pass through the waters, he will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; (Isaiah 43:2)

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THINGS MAY BE difficult to comprehend.

Your heart may fail but let God be the strength of your heart and portion forever. (Psalm 73:26)

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Will your response be rebellion or cooperation?

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When God appeared and spoke those comforting words, he led Jacob to a place of intimacy.

The words drove him to worship, and worship is an abbreviation of worth-ship―John R. W. Stott.

These same words apply to you. Let them drive you to be a better worshipper.

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GOD DOESN'T INTEND that we live in the valley because it's a difficult place.

However, we must pass through it. (Psalm 23:4)

The journey becomes painful until nothing matters, and it wrenches from us everything that challenges his pre-eminence in our lives.

When patience has had its perfect work, you'll be perfect and entire wanting nothing. (James 1:4-8)

God never allows a valley without a purpose in mind. And while this is painful to us, it is glorious to Him.

What matters is your response. Will it be rebellion or cooperation?

God will slow you down when you sulk or blame someone for your situation.

BRINGING IT TOGETHER

JACOB HAD DONE wrong. But after his encounter, he came to terms with God.

You cannot change your past, but you can edit your future.

My prayer for you is that the Word of God will confront you and disturb your security. It will undermine your complacency and overthrow your patterns of thoughts and behaviour―you'll be more like Him.