Devotions

“So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree which was by Shechem.”

Genesis 35:4

There is so much we can glean from this verse! First, we can ask ourselves what do we need to remove from our lives? Once we identify the things that keep and distract us from the LORD, we need to remove them and bury them, never going back to them!

“Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.”

Proverbs 4:27

Secondly, once we remove the things that distract us from the LORD, causing us to sin, we get to confess and bury them at the cross (the tree) and be forgiven by the LORD!

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:9

The LORD’S forgiveness is really something to be thankful for!

“As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

Psalm 103:12

Today, let us confess our sins, bury them at the cross and rejoice in the fact we are saved! Have a blessed day in Him.

“Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, You have troubled me by making me obnoxious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and since I am few in number, they will gather themselves against me and kill me. I shall be destroyed, my household and I.”

Genesis 34:30

This is a pretty sad chapter in the life of Jacob! First, his daughter is raped, then his kids go on a killing spree and all Jacob seems to be worried about is his life! The answer to his problems, and ours, is the LORD, and Jacob didn’t call out to Him not even once.

“In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me.”

Psalm 86:7

Often times we forget the promises of God, His word is full of them, He will save us, deliver us and keep us!

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

We all have issues going in our lives and around us! Our first call needs to be the LORD, when we rely upon ourselves or others, our problems can and do become major disasters! Today, let us call upon the LORD first and watch and see how He works it out!

Have a blessed day!

“But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and wept.”

Genesis 33:4

We all may have a friend or relative that we’ve held a grudge with, like Jacob and Esau had. Twenty one years have passed and here we see that the grudge no longer mattered, they have reconciled and moved on!

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

Matthew 6:14

Holding onto grudges not only is a waste of time, but it drags you into sin and bitterness, as you play out scenes that never will happen. Let us forgive and forget like our LORD does when we confess!

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”

1 Chronicles 16:34

The LORD shows us mercy and grace, so we should do the same! Maybe you have a relationship that has been damaged, seek the LORD on opening a door to make amends! Have a blessed day.

“So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies.”

Genesis 32:7

We see here that Jacob is really stressing out about Esau, he calls on the LORD for help. Then takes matters into his own hands, he doesn’t fully trust God! Do we do the same?

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

When we call on the LORD to deliver us, do we just give up and let go? Or do we try to help the LORD out? We all need to be careful of praying for the LORD to save us, while still trying to fix the situation ourselves, making a bigger mess!

“My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.”

Psalm 121:2

What a great reminder for us! The LORD created heaven and earth, He also created you and me, so let us realize, He can deal with any situation we are in! Let’s avoid doing what Jacob did and try to help Him out! Remember, it didn’t go well for Jacob, by the end of this chapter he was walking with a limp! Have a blessed day praying, letting go, and watch and see what the LORD will do!

“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.”

Matthew 12:43

What I believe Jesus is saying here is we can look good on the outside, clean, well groomed and looking upright. But, what’s going on inside?

“Then he says, I will return to my house from which I came. And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.”

Matthew 12:44

Eventually, when we are a believer who looks good on the outside, that’s when the enemy comes back and wreak’s havoc in our lives!

With this said, we really need to allow the LORD to come into our hearts and clean us from the inside out!

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Psalm 51:10

Like David, we can make all kinds of mistakes, but until we let the LORD in and create a clean heart in us, we can only look good on the inside!

“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by your generous Spirit.”

Psalm 51:12

Today, if you want real joy, real peace and the LORD’S peace, then allow Him complete entrance into your heart and let Him take over! Have a blessed day in the LORD!