Pausing To Be Pure
BRD REFLECTIONS
Genesis 35, Psalm 32 (NIV)
(David Blakely, PTM, Wesley Counselling Services)
READ:
From today’s reading of Genesis 35 and Psalm 32, I picked the following four verses to reflect on.
Genesis 35:2-3,11-12 (NIV)
[2] So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. [3] Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone. ” [11] And God said to him, “I am God Almighty ; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants. [12] The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you. ”
OBSERVE:
God called Jacob to spend time with Him. Jacob obeyed and instructed his household to first cleanse themselves physically and spiritually. For Jacob, it was important that everyone approached God with the right perspective. His family obeyed, and God spoke a promise of great hope for their future.
APPLY:
As I reflected on these verses, these questions came to me. Firstly, how often do I allow impure thoughts and motives to creep into my life, and exist in my daily interactions with my family? One example is how I am often impatient with them. I realized that this is because that moment something besides God or my family is more important to me.
Secondly, how often do I pause and actively seek to cleanse myself so that I can become a better husband, father, son, and follower of Jesus? As I write this reflection, I am convicted of the need to change and be more loving and patient.
DO:
This year the church is focused on intentional discipleship within our families. I need to encourage my family towards greater purity. On a practical level, I need to take the first step, to truly lead my family. The first step towards purity is repentance.
This week I will actively pause and acknowledge to God, my wife, and my children my impatience with them. In particular, I will apologise for the moments I have been irritable and defensive. I shall ask them to hold me accountable. Finally I shall try to be patient and supportive.
PRAY:
Lord, I acknowledge you as King over my life. I bow before You, asking for forgiveness. Give me the courage today to humble myself before my family, and lead through willingness to change. I pray this in the name of our Lord Jesus who makes all hope possible. Amen.
