Dear Believer,

Have you found that the goodness and mercy of God never ceases to amaze? As we read the pages of His Word, we find example upon example of His merciful pursuit of His people. The life of Jacob is one of those examples. Jacob, like many of us, had a difficult time obeying God wholeheartedly and retaining his spiritual fervor. Although he had seen the goodness of God in his life, he settled for comfort when things were “peaceful”. But, dear believer, there is never a time when we should lower our shields and settle in that lazy boy chair and take a hiatus from our fight. This is exactly what we see Jacob do. He falls into a spiritual slumber and the devil who prowls around like a lion, came to devour as much as he could.

But God in His mercy reminds Jacob once again of his original command to, “Arise, go to Bethel, and dwell there. Make an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau” (35:1). This time, Jacob obeys. He wakes up from this spiritual slump he has been in (and allowed his family to be in), regains his God-appointed spiritual leadership, and sets his spiritual affairs in order. As we see in the above verses, he does three things. He tells his family tribe to put away their foreign gods, purify themselves, and change their garments.

Jacob had allowed himself and his family a comfortable life in the world. He had allowed idolatry starting with his wife and down to his children. God had not been a priority in his life for some time and resulted in filthy garments on a sin-filled family. Jacob has tasted the consequences of his lax leadership. But God calls him once again to return to his first love.

Believer, is God calling you to return to your first love? Have you gotten comfortable and complacent in your Christian life? Is it time to wake up from your spiritual slumber? God asks us as he did Jacob to…

Put away our foreign gods

“You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:3-6

“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” Colossians 3:15

Purify yourself

“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hearts, you sinners, and purity your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8

Change your garments

"And the angel said to those who were standing before him, 'Take off his filthy clothes.' Then he said to Joshua, 'See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you."  Zech. 3:4

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Col. 3:12


Essentially, God is calling us to put Him first, repent, and live a holy life. 

Dearest Believer, you have been chosen and are a new creation. May your life not fall into compacency that leads to idolatry and filth, but be an example of a God-centered, forgiven, and light-filled life.

The Lord be with you, 

Bianca

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