It Worked for You In The Past

On A Personal Note

When I look at Jacob I see way too much of myself - it can be uncomfortable to be honest about our “faith”. We default to old habits that have worked in the past or “gotten us this far” and in the process build altars we’ll later regret.

The Text Message

In Gen. 33:17-20, Jacob is falling back on old habits after he had an amazing encounter with God. In Gen. 32 God gave him a new identity. You’re no longer “Jacob” you’re now “Israel”.

Glory! We’re changed by the grace of God! Then revert back to our old ways, trusting our instincts or what worked in the past instead of God’s word.

Jacob first goes backwards to Succoth, then “settles” for Shechem.

What about you? Sowing to the flesh becomes habitual if we’re not intentional. And here’s the problem (v. 30):

We’ll build an altar to God in the place of disobedience. Jacob was told to go to his kindred not Shechem. When he trusted himself instead of God, it became a disaster.

The altars of disobedience we build walking after the flesh instead of trusting God will become witness to our future embarrassment and publicly deny our new identity in Christ.

My friend, we’ll pay a dreadful price for our delinquency.

When tempted to follow God only part way because of greener pastures, pleasant surroundings, and “opportunities”, maybe you should go back and wrestle with God.

Let’s Take the Message Home

In what ways are you trusting your old habits and what’s worked in the past instead of God’s word? What will your altar of disobedience bear witness to down the road?

Take a couple of minutes and talk to God about how you’ve been going in the wrong direction or settling for less than what God wants. Confess and give them to God.

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