DCLM Higher Everyday 13 December 2023 — Moment For The Next Move
Topic: Moment For The Next Move
Text: Genesis 31:1-7
1And he heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father’s; and of that which was our father’s hath he gotten all this glory.
2And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
4And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock,
5And said unto them, I see your father’s countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me.
6And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.
7And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.
Key Verse: “And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee” (Genesis 31:3).
Message
Jacob left his father’s land and fled to Haran because conditions at home were no longer favourable. He had offended his brother and his life was in danger. At the house of Laban, he had prospered. He had flocks; he had wives, children and servants. Yet, condition changed again. Laban and his sons became hostile. What would Jacob do? “Return unto the land of thy fathers.” That was the message from God. To leave the land where he had built himself a successful career, would have been a difficult decision. And to return to his homeland and confront his aggrieved brother, Esau, would have been a fearful option. But when God says it is time to move, there is no room for argument.
In life, we sometimes come to a place of rut and stagnation. We become victims of a state which A. W. Tozer described as “the dictatorship of the customary” and “the psychology of the usual.” We become slaves of the routine. At such a time, we need to hear the voice of God urging us to break the cycle and move on.
Quote: Break the cycle and move on.
Challenge: Come out of the rut and stagnation.
Prayer for today: Lord, help me to move on in the right direction.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
