Reminders of God's goodness

Today's lead Word is from Genesis 35:1 NKJV

Then God said to Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother."

Prior to this chapter, Jacob's sons Simeon and Levy had murdered the man who had defiled their sister. Not only did they kill this man but they killed his father as well including the males in that city (Genesis 34:25). Jacob was greatly disturbed by this because he was afraid that the people of that city may take vengeance against him and his family. Today's lead Scripture is God comforting Jacob by providing him with a safe place of refugee. However, God not only provides Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel) with an escape plan to a safer place but He also reminds him of the previous times He rescued him from harm and in this case, Esau after Jacob had received Esau's blessing from his father, Isaac.

I believe God's reminder to Israel of the great things He did for him in the past including the promises He gave him to hold onto is a beautiful reminder for every believer. Sometimes when circumstances are difficult, the enemy may use that opportunity to deceive you that God does not see you or your circumstances. However, when you are able to take your eyes off the circumstance, and remind yourself of how far God has carried you, you will realize that you are loved by God beyond measure. If he was able to get you healthy and whole, healed your family, saved your loved ones, rescued you from addictions, suicide and bad company, gave you a new job, provided for your family, surely He shall rescue you from whatever circumstance that the enemy may be presenting as impossible. Isaiah 26:3 tells us that God is able to keep him in perfect peace whose mind and thoughts are stayed on him. And how is this perfect peace achieved? - By always remembering the ways God has carried you to this very moment. That is, the joys, peace, relationships, divine favour, opportunities and laughter He has brought in your life and because of this you continue to be thankful for His goodness and for all His precious promises that He has already given you in Christ Jesus. If God, the Father was able to carry you through those storms, surely His faithfulness will not fail you now especially as you continue to put your trust in Him.

I'll end with this Word in Philippians 4:8 and it reads,

Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God's Word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them and implant them in your heart].

AMEN.