God's Grace in the Old Testament-Part 4

Genesis is a book which shows us that God is, and always has been, a God of Grace. We have a distinct advantage over Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the other Patriarchs in Genesis. They were journeying with God, discovering His Grace one day at a time in a period when no written record of His Grace yet existed. Today, although we still journey through life experiencing God’s Grace one day at a time, we can also look back into the pages of history as recorded for us in the Bible and see God’s gracious dealings with people in bygone eras.

As we journeyed through the pages of Genesis the last three weeks, we have observed that God’s Grace is unconditional. Abraham did not do anything that made him worthy of God’s Grace, yet God nevertheless showered His unconditional, unlimited Grace upon him and not just him, but his whole family! In fact, it is recorded that through Abraham all the nations of the earth would be blessed!  (Gen 12:1-3)

Abraham’s son Isaac, did nothing to merit the extension of God’s Grace to him but he received it because God made a promise to his father which He intended to keep, for God is not a man that he should lie. Isaac made the very same mistakes his father made in trying to preserve his life by lying that Rebekah, his wife, was his sister yet God still blessed him and extended the covenant promise to him too. (Gen 26:3-4, 6-13)

Jacob was worse than his father and grandfather! His very name meant “deceiver”. He was a self-absorbed character who stole his brother’s birthright and deceived his uncle Laban by  using selective breeding and attributing his gains to the blessing of the Lord! He was a “wheeler and dealer” by nature. Everything to Jacob was a business deal. He was so used to haggling that he even tried to bargain with God, making vows that God would only be his God if He would feed him, clothe him, preserve and protect him and bring him safely to his father’s house. If anyone was audacious, it was Jacob! After all, who would dare bargain with the Almighty? (Gen 25:28-34, Gen 27:1-36, Gen 30:31-43,  Gen 31:7-12, Gen 28:20-22)

Jacob made mistakes and some of them were premeditated, yet we see no dimunition in God’s grace to him. God sent angels to protect him and allowed him to see them! In Bethel, he was given a vision of a ladder that reached to Heaven and angels ascending and descending on it. The more Jacob sinned and let God down, the more it seemed God’s Grace increased! Sin could not overcome Grace. (Gen 28:12-15, Gen 32:1-2)

In Genesis 32:10-11 and 33:5 and 11, we see the result of God’s Grace. Jacob was the first Patriarch to verbally affirm God’s Grace. After wrestling with God and with men, his name was changed to “Israel” which in Hebrew means “a prince who prevails with God and men.” God showed Jacob that he could get away with bargaining and deceiving men, but he couldn’t do the same with God. Jacob saw the face of God and his life was spared (Gen 32:30). His day of reckoning happened to be his greatest experience of God’s Grace, which changed him forever. (New Testament ref: Romans  5)

God has the best plan for your life!

It all started with a nation in obscurity, yet chosen by God. The nation of Israel did not start out as a nation deserving of God’s favour, yet He chose to use this nation to showcase what He could do if they surrendered to Him. (Deut 10:15)

As long as the nation of Israel obeyed God, they were triumphant in battle and had the privilege of being led by God Himself through the pillar of cloud in the day and fire by night. This nation had nothing to boast about. They never chose God; rather it was God who chose them. (Ex 13:21)

God wanted the nation of Israel to be different. They were called to be His own peculiar people, a special people close to His heart. In and through them, all the families of the earth were to be blessed. However, instead of embracing their heritage, they yearned to be like the pagan tribes around them and desired their own king. They rejected the rule of the Majesty of Heaven in favour of an earthly king, slave to like passions as themselves. They wanted a king who would ride triumphantly into battle with them, yet their battles had always been the Lord’s! (1 Sam 8:5-20)

In the same manner we being the church, as spiritual Israel, have been called to be kings and priests to our God and to reign with Him in His kingdom which will never end. However, we find ourselves as pilgrims in this far country of life, and instead of seeking the everlasting City of God, we are distracted by this world and it’s people. We long to be like them more than we long to be like our Saviour. He has created us to shine like lights in a perverse world to show all people His glory, but instead we prefer to blend into the crowds. We claim to value originality, but we evidence a pitiful lack thereof. Our dress, the way we walk and talk, and conduct business is the same as is commonly found in this world. It is not often that others see the difference! (Phil 2:15, Heb 11:13, 1 Pet 2:11)

Why is it that we prefer to crawl when God has designed us to soar with Him? We were not made to be creatures of habit, slaves to sin. We are not meant to sit in church for years and years with nothing to show for it. We were made in the image of God, to triumph over evil. Christ is daily restoring that image in us and we are called to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and to overcome sin through the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit. The time has come to stop “playing church” and start living it out in our lives! We need the deliverance of Christ to manifest in our lives, so that the whole world can see the difference. (Gen 1:27, Col 3)

God has called us to perfection because He is perfect. He has called us to holiness because He is holy. As His people, we must reflect His character. It is a high ideal to strive for, but with Christ all things are possible! Although our righteousness pales in comparison to His, we are called to model our lives on His life and to walk just as He walked if we are to be His true disciples. Put aside selfish, carnal desires and let Christ unravel the puzzle that is your life today! (1 Jn 2:6, Acts 4:13) 

God has the best plan for your life; why don't you surrender to Him today? With God in your corner, there is nothing that life can throw at you that you and Him together can't handle.You can't afford NOT to know Him!

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." -John 6:37.

The Secret to Contentment Part 4-A Learned Behaviour

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have it all, yet never find true happiness? Scripture is fraught with examples and wise lessons on how being physically rich in the wares and treasures of this world makes it even harder to find entrance into the Kingdom of God. Since the Kingdom of God begins in our hearts, if our hearts are full of restless striving for worldly treasures, one can clearly see the problem! Jesus Himself said that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matt 19:24) The love of money is the root of all evil, and those who possess such greed will never experience true contentment. It is not impossible for rich people to enter into Heaven; it’s just a lot harder! (1 Tim 6:10)

True contentment comes from recognizing the value of the eternal and unsearchable riches of God’s grace. After all, your heart is where your treasure lies (Matt 6:19-21). Those who practice the art of contentment make it look easy! However, contentment is a behaviour that often comes by way of learning some hard life lessons. I must confess, I myself only started experiencing contentment after the year 2008 which to me was one of the worst years of my life! It took  spending my first stint in hospital, escaping unscathed from two car accidents (one from a horse and trailer truck which would have demolished my poor Tazz had it not been for the hand of God), having one cell phone destroyed from liquid damage and another stolen, together with a season of unemployment and depression to teach me contentment. Yet despite this, I consider it one of the most valuable gifts I have been given – the ability to treasure and savour each passing moment of life, valuing it for the precious gift of God it really is.

The Apostle Paul states in Phil 4:11-13: “…for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” From this, we can clearly see that contentment exists in the heart of one who is totally surrendered to God and who gives up his own willful passions, plans and desires placing them subject to the Will of God. In this he takes up his cross and follows the Master, and in denying himself he finds true contentment (Matt 16:24-26). Contentment is a learned behaviour. It is when everything is stripped away from us that we learn that we really don’t need that much to survive after all! God will take care of you; if you make His business your priority, He will make your business His priority. (Is 33:6,16)

The Yoke of Service-About my Father's Business

Jesus was only 12 years of age when, on a yearly temple visit, He went missing. His parents anxiously sought after Him and eventually found Him in the temple, talking earnestly with the learned men. The doctors and elders marveled at his understanding for a youth of such tender age. When His parents asked why He had stayed behind and caused them so much anxiety, He replied: “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?” [Luke 2:42-52]

Jesus’ entire life was spent doing the Will of His Father [John 4:34]. He went about doing good, healing and setting at liberty all who were oppressed by the evil one. His meat was to do His Father’s Will and to finish the work.

Jesus has bid all who are weary and heavy laden to come to Him and rest. However, the rest He offers is not a passive rest of inactive lethargy. Instead He offers to exchange your yoke of sin, bondage and the cares of this world for a yoke of service which is “easy and light.”[Matt 11:28-30]

God sent Jesus into the world for a purpose-to redeem us from our sins and to show us the way to the Father. Just as the Father sent Jesus into the world, so He sends us out to finish the work [John 17:18].  He has left nothing undone for our salvation. Now He bids us to go and tell the world of His marvelous grace and redeeming love. Jesus’ heart beats for the lost children of this world. His passion should be our passion. His mission should be ours.

He has left each of us a special work to do in the Great Commission [Matt 28:18-20]. He has given gifts to be used earnestly in this service. It is time to stop playing church and start working for God. The church has been asleep for long enough. It is now time to cast off the cloak of slumber and get moving for God! Time is fast running out, and the harvest is ready yet workers are still few.

It is encouraging to have attended the last Church Business meeting and to know that there are plans to get everyone actively involved in the mission of promoting the Good News of the Gospel beyond the walls of our church. We must pray that the Lord of the Harvest would send us forth as His workers to complete the Mission that He saw fit to entrust us with.

Let us get enthusiastic as we go about our Father’s business with zeal.

Scripture refs:Luk 2:42-52, Jn 4:34, Jn 17:18, Matt 11:28-30, Matt 28:18-20, Hab 2:2)

"In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work."- John 4:31-34


"As thou [Father] hast sent me [Jesus] into the world, even so have I also sent them [ my disciples] into the world."-John 17:18


"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."-Matt 11:28-30

"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."-Matt 28:18-20

The Jesus Touch Part 2 -Redeem the Time

God has blessed each of us with varied talents according to our ability (Matt 25:15). However, to every one of us He has given time. Each day that we are alive, He fills our lives with the same amount of minutes as the next person. It’s how we choose to use the time He has blessed us with that makes all the difference.

Jesus was a master manager of His time. He didn’t waste any of it, but rather spent long hours investing into the lives of those closest to Him – these would be the ones who would be tasked with taking the message of the Gospel to the entire world. Jesus was never idle. When He was not walking miles between towns as an itinerant teacher, preacher and healer He could often be found in places of solitude communing earnestly with His Father. He often put aside His own desire for rest to meet the needs of those who followed Him, earnestly seeking the gracious words of truth from His lips. Jesus was a very busy man, yet He seemed to have time for everyone! (Matt 14:14-36, Matt 15:32, Mk 3:20)

Are you busy today? Many of us use our “busyness” as an excuse not to get involved in the work of God. Jesus often did not even have time to eat or drink. While the disciples went into the neighbouring towns to gather provisions, Jesus sat at the well and invested in the life of a woman who would become a great missionary for Him. His meat was to do the will of His Father and to finish the work. Jesus was not selfish with His time. He set out to save the lost and He set his face like a flint and stayed the course until the door of salvation was open to everyone. (John chapter 4, Is 50:4-7)

How much time do we spend in idleness and yet complain that there are not enough hours in the day to finish all that we have to do?  Christ’s Object Lessons pg 118-119: “Satan uses the listless, sleepy indolence of professed Christians to strengthen his forces and win souls to his side. Many who think that though they are doing no actual work for Christ, they are yet on His side, are enabling the enemy to pre-occupy ground and gain advantages. By their failure to be diligent workers for the Master, by leaving duties undone and words unspoken, they have allowed satan to gain control of souls who might have been won for Christ. We can never be saved in indolence and inactivity. There is no such thing as a truly converted person living a helpless, useless life.” Will you answer Jesus’ call to work in His vineyard today?