Simply teaching the Bible, simply

This teaching is our 28th session in our verse-by-verse study of the Book of Genesis by pastor Barry – given as part of our family service on 15th October 2017.

In 2 Corinthians 5:7 Paul reminds us that, as believers, we should walk by faith, not by sight.

If we walk by sight we begin to reckon with the actual problems of life as we perceive them. The enormity of the challenges facing us can be overwhelming and we can even start to blame God for allowing the circumstances in the first place. Most of the world exists on this level, and life spirals down into just trying to make it through the day.

For the Christian however, we are told that we are citizens of Heaven and that we are seated –above the storm – in the heavenly places with Christ.

Have you ever been on an aeroplane? There may be a storm or dark clouds on the ground, but when you soar up above the clouds, the Sun is still shining and the world seems so very different! That should be the experience of each believer.

In Genesis 32-33 we see a great lesson in the simplicity of trusting God and walking by faith in stark contrast to the emotional turmoil we put ourselves in when recon on things without God.

Jacob had left Laban and there was now no way back. The line had been drawn and that chapter of Jacob’s life was most definitely at an end!

But he was afraid to go forward, despite God’s promises and assurances, because he now faced the wrath of his brother Esau whom he had not seen for 20 years. His mum, Rebekka, had promised to send word when Esau’s wrath had abated, but no word had come.

Jacob sought for a way to buy grace, but nothing could seemingly take away the deep fear and apprehension he felt!

But God had already given Jacob the assurance he needed, and reminded him that there is an unseen world around us, ordained of God to care for us. “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14)

When Jacob finally met Esau there was no wrath, just tears of reconciliation. God had gone ahead of Jacob and softened Esau’s heart. All of the stress Jacob had brought upon himself and his family was proven to be unwarranted.