Have You Ever Felt...

Tempted, disappointed, frustrated, angry, lost, alone, fearful? The list can go on and on ... I have certainly gone through challenges that resulted in me experiencing a range of emotions, and sometimes acting in ways that I am not proud of. One thing is for sure, we will all face struggles at some time or another. How do you cope when facing challenging situations? The Bible is full of examples of people facing difficult situations. One example can be found in Genesis 34 and 35.  Jacob's daughter, Dinah, disobeyed Gods’ instruction not to get involved with idol worshipping people of Canaan, as a result she was raped. Jacob's sons avenged their sister's rape by committing mass murder, theft and abduction. Jacob himself was not innocent, as prior to this incident, he had sunk into 'Spiritual Slumber', almost forgetting about God's covenant with him. It seemed as if he was an 'Absent Father', not guiding his daughter. God could have said, "I've had enough of you disobedient unfaithful bunch!", and could have left them to their own.... 

But He did not. Instead, He told Jacob  to return to Him. He reminded Jacob who He is - God Almighty, a faithful God. He also reminded Jacob who he was. God had previously changed his name from Jacob, meaning "supplanter" or "be behind", to Israel, meaning "One Who Prevails With God". But it seemed as if Jacob had forgotten his new identity. Throughout the Bible, there are records of God changing people's names for their new identity and purpose, as given by Him. Some examples are, Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Saul to Paul, Simon to Peter. For Jacob to step into what God had planned for him, he had to return to God, repent and recommit to obey God. Jacob took these steps, and the Bible tells us that he had a full life after this.

We too at times might be tempted to disobey God like Dinah, to take things into our own hands as her brothers did, or sink into a spiritual slump like Jacob, forgetting who God is. But thankfully, even though we may change, God does not change (Mal 3:6). He is still faithful, and God says, "I will never leave you nor forsakes you." (Hebrews 13:5)

He made a way for us to get back to Him, no matter how far we strayed. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we too receive a new identity. We are new creations in Christ. (2 Cor 6:17). In John 10:10, Jesus tells us that He came so that we may have life and life in abundance. All we need to do is to receive it!