Explore the Bible Series for March 2: Responding to God in faith

Posted: 2/20/08

Explore the Bible Series for March 2

Responding to God in faith

• Genesis 28:1-5, 11-22

By Donald Raney

First Baptist Church, Petersburg

We see them everywhere and if we are honest, we would have to admit we have been one of them at times. They are individuals who claim to be believers but show little evidence outside the walls of the church.

They are faithful to attend church and participate in the rituals of the church whenever it fits their schedule. They are quick to affirm that “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life” while assuming God’s plan for their life corresponds to their own plan. They have their life neatly compartmentalized with one of the boxes labeled “God.” They say they are a person of faith, but when life takes an unexpected turn or God calls them to do something outside their plan, they quickly revert to acting in their own strength and according to their own designs.

The Christian life is not always easy. Walking by faith instead of sight is not natural. Most often we prefer to have our hands on the wheel directing our life, but often our own actions can create situations beyond our control and without a genuine and strong faith, we can find ourselves drifting.

The story of Jacob provides us with a clear picture of someone who found himself in such a situation. His own selfish treatment of his brother had forced him to leave home. In his encounters with God as he wandered, Jacob learned a number of important lessons, and as we study his story, we can learn what it takes to respond to God in faith and obedience regardless of the circumstances.

Tackling transitions (Genesis 28:1-5)

It often correctly has been said that the only constant in life is change. There are many times in life when we find ourselves in times of transition during which we are seeking to adjust to a new set of circumstances. Perhaps it is due to a new job or a move to a new home. With each transition, we are presented with a new opportunity to demonstrate the faith we profess. The temptation, however, is to give into the stress of the change and try to work through the situation on our own rather than exercise our faith and trust God to lead us through.

Jacob later referred to this time when he left home as a time of great distress (Genesis 35:3). It was the first time he was away from the familiarity and security of home, and he did not know if he would ever see home again. Yet this man who always had used his own cunning to get what he wanted followed his father’s advice and went to his ancestral home.

Times of transition often are difficult and frightening, but they can also be times of spiritual growth if we choose to walk by faith and trust God’s direction.

Taking in God’s message (Genesis 28:11-15)

Prayer is a vital part of the Christian life. It is our primary means of communicating with God. Yet so often that communication seems to flow in only one direction. Nearly all believers regularly voice their requests and concerns to God. Many ask God to speak to them and direct their path.

Yet most often we fail to take time to listen for God to answer. God wants to communicate with us and will use many different means to convey his message including circumstances and even non-believers if we will listen. Perhaps we occasionally are afraid of what God might say. Yet we cannot respond in faith until we take time to listen.

All his life Jacob had been doing things his way. He apparently never had taken time to pray or seek God. Yet God still was working behind the scenes and wanted to speak to Jacob. Finally, after Jacob had left home and was wandering alone, God spoke through a dream as he slept.

In the dream, God assured Jacob he had great plans for his descendents. He told him it was not based on Jacob’s ability to manipulate people or circumstances. It was God who would give Jacob’s descendents the land in fulfillment of the promised God made to his grandfather Abraham.

In the midst of struggles to live our lives, we must learn to listen to the voice of God. Often we find the words we hear remove our need to struggle if we simply will respond in faith to the message.

Taking steps of faith (Genesis 28:16-22)

Having received God’s message, Jacob awoke and immediately acknowledged its significance by erecting a memorial to the God who had affirmed his covenant with Jacob. Jacob now understood all he had and all he would ever accomplish was due to God, and he committed to following God’s lead.

Some may read the condition Jacob placed on God as a sign of a lack of faith. If Jacob truly believed, he would simply follow God regardless of the circumstances. Yet Jacob’s statement affirms it is God who is in control as well as his intent to trust God until God proves untrustworthy. This is indeed a statement of faith, especially for someone who had always lived life on his own terms. Jacob knew his actions had led him to be an exile from his home and that only God could remedy the situation and enable him to return home safely.

Living the Christian life often can be difficult, and we may not always understand the way God leads, but God has promised to bless those who hear his voice and obediently respond to him in faith.