Physical Scars

By Pastor Christian in Thinking About Sunday on 4/29/09

This Sunday Chris Herbert continued our Scarred series with a message about dealing with Physical Scars as well as continuing the ongoing story of Jacob found in Genesis 27-35. If you missed this Sunday or simply want to review the message, visit the “Scarred Series” page to listen to the broadcast.

Chris worked out of Genesis 28:10-22 and did a great job with this passage about Jacob’s dream of a ladder descending from heaven. I have been thinking about his insights all week. The most memorable detail for me was that God did not change Jacob’s circumstances; he simply reiterated his promise to be “with him.” Chris noted that when Jacob woke up, he was still fleeing Esau; still on his way to challenges with his uncle; still the same guy with the same problems. Doesn’t this fly in the face of many of the common expectations we have for God’s participation in our difficult circumstances?

When we pray for God to help us in a particular situation, how do you think most of us would we receive a promise to be with us instead of a change of circumstance? Honestly, what we are praying for is a change of our circumstances, right? We want God to make everything better, not join us in the problem.  What do you think about that? It raises a couple ideas for me.

One, of course we pray for things to get better! We want stuff to work out well from our perspective. This is a natural inclination and not one I think we need to be embarrassed about. Jesus invited us to invoke his name and call on God when we are in trouble. If you are sick - pray. If you are afraid - pray. If you are in trouble - ASK FOR HELP. Sometimes, He WILL intervene in your history and make things right. Ultimately, he makes everything right.

Two, there is nevertheless no better promise than his promise “to be with us.” If God is with us, what can stand against us? What journey could you not face? What challenge would be too much? If you know God is really with you, you can persevere.

Three, there is also his promise to Jacob that he would give him many descendants. Simply put, to have descendants you have to LIVE, and marry, and have kiddos. So, God was promising that he was not dead yet, and had a future. Now note that there is also a promise to you. A promise that He who started a good work in you will bring it to completion; A promise for transformation;  A promise of new life; A promise for adoption as his child - a promise that is sealed by the Holy Spirit. A promise of basic provision and a promise of a life worthwhile and an eternity in heaven! What else do we want? That is the power package of promises!

So stop and think about this the next time you are asking God for help with a situation, illness, or problem. I urge you to first thank him for the many gifts in your life. Then, thank him that you ARE alive. Then pronounce your trust in him and your GREAT thankfulness that he will be with you. Add to that, your willingness to walk-out any journey he deems fit as long as HE is with you. Then ask him to change your circumstances. By the time you finish the first details, you just might ready to walk-out that problem. . .

Christian

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