Grains of Sand

Pixabay Remember...the past. Memories are often painful. For many people it is simpler and less traumatizing to look toward the unsullied future rather than thinking about what has been in the past. When Moses addressed the people of Israel on the eve of their entrance into the land of Canaan, he spent a great deal of time reviewing their past history. He also encouraged them to remember that history. Digging up the decomposing flesh of our past sin, or that of those sins committed against us, is not the motivation behind remembering the past. Listen to how Moses explains God's reasoning. You may say to yourselves, "These nations are stronger than we are; how can we drive them out?" But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt. You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the miraculous signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the Lord your God brought you out. The Lord your God w...

Google Images I had a conversation with a person recently who was really angry at God. It seems that He hadn’t delivered what she expected of Him. She felt that she had fulfilled her part of the obligation and that He should have kept up His end by giving her a smooth and trouble-free life. As I was reading Genesis 28 this morning I was reminded of that conversation. Jacob was sent away from his home, probably to keep some distance between him and Esau, though Rebekah avoided bringing up the falling out between the brothers by telling her husband that she was concerned that Jacob would marry the wrong kind of girl if he wasn’t sent back to her hometown to find the right one (Genesis 27:46-28:1, 2). Isaac didn’t remember, or chose not to remember, that his own father had looked after that without him having ever to leave home (Genesis 24). It seems like dealing with the lies and deceit, and their consequences, was not something this family did well. In any case, Jacob left home and ...