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Jan 30 Coming back to God

January 30


30_Coming back to God

Gen 35:1-4 Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and live there, and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.” 2 So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Remove the foreign gods which are among you, and purify yourselves and change your garments; 3 and let’s arise and go up to Bethel, and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me on the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.” 4 So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which they had and the rings which were in their ears, and Jacob hid them under the oak which was near Shechem.

In a small village nestled in the Swiss Alps, a centuries-old church stands as the heart of the community. Within this church stood a famous pipe organ, its tones so enchanting that people from far and wide would come to hear it. But as years passed, the organ began to falter. Its rich melodies gave way to jarring notes. Nobody knew how to repair it. The organ was deemed beyond restoration. Frustration slowly turned into resignation.

One day, an old man visited the village. Entering the church, he looked around for the organ. Noticing that it was no longer in use, he asked, “Why don’t you play the organ anymore?” “It has broken down, it cannot be repaired any longer,” came the reply.

“Let me try,” the man said confidently. For the next two months, he worked over it in silence. He had many tools and materials brought in. His days were spent in delicately adjusting and repairing the organ. When he finally announced that it was ready, the church was filled with music even more beautiful than they remembered. The astonished crowd asked how he had achieved this. With a gentle smile, the man replied, “Fifty years ago, this organ was designed and crafted in my workshop. I know it in and out, and I’ve now restored it.”

This story reflects our relationship with God. He is our Creator, the one who knows us down to our smallest details. When our lives fall into disrepair—when sin, regret, or sorrow creates discord—only God can restore us fully. Genesis 35:1-4 tells such a story, as God calls Jacob back to Himself.

Jacob’s life up to this point had been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Known for his cunning, Jacob relied on deceit and self-reliance to get ahead. Within a few years of living near Shechem, his family was marked by tragedy and chaos. His daughter Dinah was violated by the prince of the city, and his sons retaliated by a massacre and sack of the town. Jacob feared greatly that this act of revenge had put himself and his family in grave danger from neighboring tribes. He found himself at an impasse, overwhelmed by the consequences of his choices and inaction.

It was at this low point that God spoke to Jacob. He was to complete his journey back to Bethel, the starting point where God first appeared to him. There, God had promised to bless him and bring him back to his homeland. Jacob had vowed that he would serve the Lord if all this took place. But years down the line, he was still living at Shechem, his vow still unfulfilled. It was time to pay his vows.

God’s call was a display of pure grace. Jacob didn’t deserve another chance, but God, rich in mercy, was not finished with him. God’s grace is always seeking our restoration, though we are wandering astray. He does not condemn us at first but desires to save us.

Jacob responded to God’s call with determination. He gathered his household and instructed them to rid themselves of foreign gods, purify themselves, and change their garments. Jacob was taking concrete steps to turn to God from idols with repentance and commitment. By leaving the idols behind, he made a decisive break from the past, renouncing anything that competed with God’s place in their lives.

There can be no fruitful following of God unless we deliberately turn away from idols. While we may not worship physical idols, many things—our careers, possessions, relationships, or ambitions—can take precedence over God. True repentance involves more than acknowledging these misplaced priorities; it calls for action to remove them from our lives.

As Jacob’s family began their journey to Bethel, God’s protection was evident. The terror of the Lord fell upon the surrounding tribes, preventing them from pursuing Jacob’s vulnerable family. God’s favor is on those who believe him and obey him. When we align ourselves with His will, His presence is with us. He is our shield from the spiritual might of our enemies.

At Bethel, Jacob built an altar, renewing his covenant with God. This act of worship was a declaration of gratitude and submission. It marked another milestone in Jacob’s relationship with God. He acknowledged the faithfulness of God and the reality of his promises. In paying his vows, he declared the Lord to be his God. Worship reorients our hearts toward God. It is not merely rituals or outward praise. It is the deep knowledge that God is God, which manifests in the outward action of faith in love.

Jacob’s journey back to God wasn’t without pain. On the way, he experienced significant losses. Deborah, his mother’s nurse and a beloved figure in the family, passed away. Rachel, his cherished wife, died while giving birth to Benjamin. Notwithstanding these losses, Jacob’s reliance on God became deeper. The birth of Benjamin was at the cost of Rachel’s life, but Jacob still named him Benjamin, meaning “son of my right hand,” showing the hope and strength he found in God’s providence.

Through these losses, Jacob learned to trust God’s purposes even in sorrow. When we face loss or disappointment, we can move on, knowing that God brings beauty from ashes and joy from mourning for those who are in his will. Every trial we endure has the potential to draw us closer to Him.

Jacob’s return to Bethel was a transformational moment for his family. This act of renewed obedience and of worship was preceded by the cleansing of his household from their idols. Jacob’s actions remind us of the influence of godly fathers and leaders. They are responsible to lead the way for those in their sphere of authority. When they worship God with all their hearts, they serve their people best.

This passage challenges us to examine our own lives. If we have drifted from God’s will or neglected our commitments to Him, this is the moment to return and fulfil them. Let us do as we have promised him. If we are burdened by the consequences of past mistakes, Jacob’s life calls us to heed the voice of God and return. His grace is sufficient, and His power is enough to restore us even through pain and loss.

Coming back to God is an intentional and trustful act of repentance and renewed obedience. Trust calls us to rely on His promises, knowing that He is both our Creator and Restorer. Repentance involves turning away from anything that competes with the knowledge of God. Renewed obedience means actively pursuing His will as far as we understand it.

Just as the pipe organ regained its former glory, God can take the broken pieces of our lives and make them beautiful again. When we return to Him, He doesn’t just fix us; He transforms us, making us vessels of His grace and instruments of His glory.

Let us heed God’s call today and respond with wholehearted obedience. Let us experience the fullness of His restoration, and become testimonies to His faithfulness. Let our renewed commitment inspire those around us to seek and follow the God who restores.

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Date:
January 30