Word in Five

In the second part of this chapter we see the contrast between Jacob and Esau. Esau looked impressive, but what he produces ends up being used through the Bible to picture people going against God and facing his judgment. But even there we can see grace, because the prophet Amos talked about their being forgiveness for Edomites. Let us hear God's voice and live, trusting in Jesus day by day.

In the this chapter we see a man moving away from the LORD and yet seeming to be blessed. We can be tempted to envy the wicked, but the name Esau made for himself was Edom which would come to nothing. Jacob remained where God wanted him to be, in the land of promise, trusting and following the LORD and through his family, God brought Jesus.

In the second half of this chapter we read some sad things, but we continue to see God's kindness in action. His kindness to Rachel despite the sadness. One day we will be able to fully see just how kind God has been to us. We see how we need to shelter under Jesus' blood because he sees all that we do and there will be a day of justice. We see his kindness to Isaac who had stuttered and s...

In the first part of this chapter one word comes to mind and that is 'grace'. The kindness which God lavishes upon us which we do not deserve. We see it given to Jacob. God will do what he always planned to in Jesus Christ - to fill his good earth will people who will trust him, follow him and enjoy him forever.

In the second part of this dark chapter we see people doing bad things in God's name and not acting like the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus shed his own blood to bring forgiveness and his resurrection on the third day he brings life. Simeon and Levi were right to be angry and for there desire for justice, but they needed to do in God's way. Thank God that he builds his church relentlessly even i...

There is such sadness in the broken world in which we live. We have a compassionate God who through his Son Jesus transformed godless, wicked societies to bring equaility and concern for the weak - things we take for granted. We have a God who is concerned for the widow, orphan and oppressed.

God does what he says. Jacob is brought safely back to the promised land of Canaan where he finds shelter and builds an altar. Like Jacob, we can shelter in Jesus and his life and death and resurrection for us, knowing he will bring us safely to the new creation.

Don't trouble your troubles in your mind - bring them to the LORD in prayer. God is so kind to us and we can come boldly before him in the name of Jesus.

We need to learn to wrestle in prayer like Jacob and like Jesus. We need more than being active and well planned. Sometimes we only learn to really pray when we're given some kind of limp or scar. How remarkable that the One who wrestled with Jacob, one day wrestled in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane before he laid down his life for us! This is our God - may we trust him.

Beware about fearing the worst and troubling our own thoughts. It's good to plan, prepare and do what we can in a situation - that's spiritual - but it's never enough. We need the LORD's help and Jacob gives us a great example of what prayer looks like - taking hold of God's promises and bringing our fears to him.

Laban teaches us that one day every knee will bow before Jesus and confess that he is Lord. It's so encouraging that the LORD can draw a straight line with a crooked stick, so we mustn't despair even when we mess up. Following Jesus, we will never be empty handed and nothing can separate us from God's love.

When it seems like God is nowhere to be seen, we can be certain that he is watching over us just as he said he would. Jesus was crushed for our sins and has totally defeated Satan so we can be absolutely confident in him.

If God is for us, who can be against us? We know he is for us because he has not spared his Son, but has given him for us. Therefore we can serve him by working hard and doing the right thing in every situation knowing that he sees and cares about injustice.

Beware of blind spots - that's why we need church life! Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. He gives rather than takes. He is gentle and kind.

Even if we are faithless, God remains faithful, he cannot deny himself. He can draw straight lines with crooked sticks which is good news for crooked sticks.

God is so kind. He moves towards us and enables us to serve him even when we have made some unwise decisions in the past. We need to remember his kindness and not have an attitude of being entitled. He has forgiven us such a huge debt in his great goodness.

Leah learned about the One who loves her with an everlasting love and will not let her go. May we know and experience his loving care - the God who sees and hears.

Jesus is coming again and we will all hear his voice and be raised to either life or death. We need to hear his voice now and cross over from death to life.

Jesus has ascended! He has all authority as our king. Therefore we can pray boldly, be confident of our security and keep going telling people about him because he will build his church.

Remember Jesus Christ raised from the dead. It impacts everything!

Hallelujah! What a Saviour! He bore the curse for us.

What a friend we have in Jesus. He gives and gives and gives of himself and is concerned for us as his people.

We have a gentle king who says "come to me for rest". He is not a taker, but a giver. He did not come to be served, but to serve. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

God is for us! What a truth. But how do we know? Because he gave Jesus up to die for us. Does guilt trouble you? Look up and see Jesus at God's right hand in heaven. We are more than conquerors!

Five big words - foreknown, predestined, called, justified, glorified - true of us in Jesus Christ!