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Devotional for the week – 10 November 2008 Sermon Title: True Worship Requires Faith A crisis - it can happen to anyone. It could be financial, social or physical. You could have lost a job, a loved one or your health. This crisis, jarring as it may be, does not introduce new elements into our lives but instead exposes the moral reality that is within us, a reality that is hidden by the routines of our lives. It shows whether we are clinging to a firm anchor or if we are standing on sifting sands. Jacob, in Hebrews 11:21, was in a crisis. His health was poor to the point that “he leaned on the top of his staff” just to get up. In Genesis 48:10, we learn that “his eyes were failing” such that “he could hardly see”. To add to that, at this point in Jacob’s life, he and his family were still wondering in the wilderness. They had not seen the Promised Land which God swore to Jacob’s ancestors. Old, with the promise from God yet unfulfilled, what did Jacob do? He exercised faith. He continued to worship God because he was assured of the future, for “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1) Jacob had a relationship with God that served as an anchor. But how does one develop such faith? We learn that that faith did not come naturally for Jacob. His name means ‘the grabber’ because when he was born, he was found grabbing the foot of his twin brother Esau. He grew up a schemer, always looking out for himself. Desiring greater blessings, he tricked his brother out of his birthright and stole his father’s blessing away from Esau. When Esau threatened to kill him, Jacob fled. But a time came when God told Jacob to return to his father’s land. By then his father had passed away, leaving Esau in charge of the land. Jacob was afraid. That night he wrestled with an angel. He finally submitted because his hip was damaged. It was at that point that he realised that he had to let God take control of his life. The angel then said: “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel,” (Genesis 32:28) which means ‘God prevails’. God connected with Jacob that day and Jacob understood that even though he was a rebel, God had been with him all the time and that God cared for him. It is this relationship with God, a relationship of surrender, which enabled Jacob to continue to worship God, to live according to His ways when faced with a crisis in old age. What is the effect of such a faith? Jacob, even though dying, was obedient to God in the blessing of his grandsons. He spoke a blessing that would affect the future of his descendents. In those days, it was customary for the firstborn to get the better blessing due to him because of his birthright. So when it came time for Jacob to bless his grandsons, the first born, Manasseh, was placed on his right and Ephraim, the younger, on his left. “But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim's head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh's head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn.” (Genesis 48:14) This upset Joseph, the father of Manasseh and Ephraim, but Jacob did not change his position on the matter. He blessed according to God’s plan. He realised that God had been faithful to him all his life. And he knew that what God wanted to fulfil through him would be carried out through his words to eternity. His blessing therefore did not just affect his grandsons but influenced a nation. So too will our words and prayers affect those whom we pray for. How many people have experienced changes in their lives because their parents prayed for them? Jacob’s own turning point too was probably brought about by the prayers and blessings of his own forefathers. Faced with an uncertain future, what is our response today? Will we continue to look out for ourselves or will we surrender to God in worship, the type of worship that is built on the bedrock of faith. Prayer Response
Lord, I realise that my response to the many troubles in my life show that I am trying to do it on my own. I choose not to struggle anymore but to surrender my life to You; that I may have faith to continue to worship You whatever the outcomes in life may be. Thank You for caring enough to reach out to me, for allowing Your son to die on the cross. His example of how He handled that crisis, with complete surrender to You, shows me how I too must learn to worship you in all things. Grant me the faith, Lord, to worship You till the end of my days. Amen. Devotional based on a sermon by Rev Lim Jen Huat
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