Genesis 46:2-7 [NIV] | 2 And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!” “Here I am,” he replied. 3 “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. 4 I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.” 5 Then Jacob left Beersheba, and Israel’s sons took their father Jacob and their children and their wives in the carts that Pharaoh had sent to transport him. 6 So Jacob and all his offspring went to Egypt, taking with them their livestock and the possessions they had acquired in Canaan. 7 Jacob brought with him to Egypt his sons and grandsons and his daughters and granddaughters—all his offspring.
It is interesting how God spoke to his people in the Old Testament, it is as though he were standing face to face. Perhaps we would welcome a conversation with God in a vision to help us clearly see the path he has prepared for our lives. In today’s world when someone speaks out verbally to God and says, “Here I am,” we question their mental state. God continues to speak to us today in several ways. He communicates through prayer, in reading and hearing his Word, and in mutual conversation with others.
Our challenge in listening to God is that we are not always sure God is the one speaking. Our minds get confused or blurred with the world’s view of life, the evil forces that work against us, and Satan. Listening to God requires a great deal of concentration and time. Imagine the trust Jacob had when God said, “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there…” And Jacob responds: “So Jacob and all his offspring went to Egypt, taking with them their livestock and the possessions they had acquired in Canaan.” Trust – Jacob had a tremendous amount of trust in God enabling him to uproot his family and follow.
If we honestly assess our lives, we would have to confess our failures in our lack of God with everything. We find ourselves holding tight to the things we fear we may lose. We often trust in ourselves first and only turn to God when struggles or challenges are beyond our personal control. God has provided a Helper to lead and guide us. The Holy Spirit is God living in us every moment of our lives. Our God speaks boldly to us, we just need to take time and listen. We praise Jesus for sending the Holy Spirit into our lives enabling us to grow in our trust in God.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit, help us to put our trust in you with everything. Help us in times of doubt and reveal to us your will for our lives. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Action Plan:
Today I will ask God to help me increase my faith and trust in him.