Prayer: Father, there comes times in my life when I need to rededicate, realign, and course correct. I recommit myself, my life to You. In the name of Yeshua, amen.
Reading: Genesis 35 key: vs. 1-2
Then God said to Jacob, “Get up! Go up to Beth-El and stay there. Make an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.”
2 So Jacob said to his household and to everyone who was with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Cleanse yourselves and change your clothes.
Attention: Have you ever gone through dry days spiritually? Have you gone through times when you felt God was silent and distant? In and around 2014, I had a time where the Holy Spirit, through Timothy, confronted me about my past and present lifestyle and brought me to repentance and reconciliation.
Today, Jacob is told by Adonai to “Get up!” and “Go to Beth-El (house of God or where God resides)” and “make an altar to the God (Me) who appeared to you when you fled your brother Esau.” And here is the rest of your assignment, “Get rid of the (idols) foreign gods what are among you. Cleanse yourselves and change your clothes.” Jacob was to purge his household of all relics used to worship any god but Adonai.
The purpose of making an altar is to make sacrifice an act of worship, exclusive to Adonai. Yes, sacrifice was made to other gods, but in this account, Adonai (God) gave Jacob a specific place (Beth-El) as the location representing His presence, to build an altar. Beth-El is a location mentioned many times in the Old Testament as a designated place of worship, where Adonai’s presence was sought, and sacrifice made.
New Testament followers of Adonai need not go to a temple, a mountain, or a church to worship God. We are told that we must worship God in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:21-24). Location is not the issue, but your heart is the issue. Are there things which God is exposing your life? Is He asking you today to get rid of the idols in your life? Is it time for a course correction? In Jacob (James) 4:8 we are told, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” I must act first. When I draw near to God, He will draw near to me. God is not the distant one, I am. Today is the day I get back in alignment with God!
Action: Today is the day I repent, reconcile with God, and draw near to Him.
Yield: When I draw near to God, He draws near to me.
Engage: I am engaging with God, when I make the first move of drawing near to Him.
Relationship: The closer I am to God, the closer He is to me.
Prayer: Father, draw me nearer to Your side. I want to be so close that I hear Your heartbeat! Draw me nearer! Amen.
Memory Verse: Jacob (James) 4: 7-8
7 Therefore submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded!
Music Video: Casting Crowns—The Change in Me https://youtu.be/p8TCZiy5A2A
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”