Keeping Promises (Gen 35)

Genesis 35

I was struck by the fact that God held Jacob’s feet to the fire.  Back in chapter 28, when Jacob was in a pinch, he made a promise to God.

Gen 28:20-22 (NKJV)
20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, 21 so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God. 22 And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.”

Guess what? Everything Jacob vowed – all the “if God will…” – came true. God was faithful to completely deliver in it. Now it is time for Jacob to hold up his end.

Jacob either had forgotten about his vow – I mean it had been at least 20 years – but God did not forget. Not only did God remind Jacob to go, he prevented Jacob’s enemies from attacking (Gen 35:5), blessed him again and changed his name to Israel (Gen 35:9-14).

Isn’t that just like God? He wants to bless us, just like any good Father would… but he also wants to teach us to be men of integrity… to finish what we start… to fulfill our commitments and vows… to be men of Honor…. no matter how long ago we made the promise

We’ve all done it. “God, if you’ll just ___(Fill in the blank)___ then I will ___(Fill in the blank)___.”

Challenge: Ask Father what vows are unfulfilled in your life.

Daddy, I open myself to you. I ask you to show me any unfulfilled promise I’ve made to You or anyone else that I need to make right, so I might be a man if Integrity, a man of Honor.

Thanks and Praise

I read Galatians 2 today and also some of Philipians, which I read and prayed over my wife this morning. I do have some stuff I want to blog about on what I read, but as these last two weeks come to a close, I just want to praise God for what He has been doing in our life and in our hearts. He has really spoken some significant revelation and truth into us recently. This week has been amazing with my wife and with a heart of gratitude, I am thanking Daddy for leading us through some things together to get us to a place of greater understanding and intimacy with Him and subsequently, with each other. One of the most significant and also convicting things that God has said to me in this last couple of weeks, before I went on Quest, was that I don’t give my wife enough credit for being able to hear His voice and for speaking into my life on His behalf. This was huge for me, man! I don’t want to be like that! Daddy, in His faithfulness, worked this out with me while I was at the ranch and continues to do so. There has been some other cool things He’s spoken and revealed to me as well… so tonight I just want to say thank you Lord…thank you for your love…thank you for your goodness…your faithfulness…your mercy and forgiveness…your grace…your patience…thank you for your revelational truth…thank you for Jesus, who paid the debt that I could never pay and purchased my redemption on Calvary. I give you praise and I worship you because of who you are. Bless your holy name!

Genesis 28

Today I read Genesis 28.  It was good!

Being a Son

Today I took the day off and spent it with my son.  We built a fort in the living and racing go karts (very little) around the driveway.  He played in daddy’s truck (his favorite thing to do) and just had a great time.  He makes me laugh so much.  The thing that really got me is that he always want my attention or want’s daddy to go with him somewhere to play, and he does everything I do.  I mean watches me and mimicks the gestures my faces, my words, everything.  Even as I write this I am reminded of when Jesus said, “I only do what I see my Father do…”. 
That is what Isaac does, he wants to be like me.  He does things just make me laugh and has the most fun when I am there with him.  That got me wondering….do I do that with Father.  Do I pursue His time the way Isaac pursue’s mine?  You know, honestly I don’t.  No in the same way.  I do it more as a friend going to friend, rather than a son to a Father.  And well, that’s not all bad, BUT, that not the way it should be.  HE is my Father and I am HIS son.  My relationship needs to be that way.