February 25, 2013

FACING OUR FAILURES

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Key Verse: Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. (Genesis 33:4); READ THE CHAPTER

Central Truth

We often find it difficult to face up to our past failures, even when we realize that, by ignoring the past, we are damaging our future. When we grasp the courage to face our failures, we can find forgiveness, restoration, and a future no longer limited by our past.

Reflections

Do you find, as I do, that you fear the unknown? Sometimes, however, we fear the known even more. This fear is especially strong when we know we have to face our past mistakes and failures. I often want to keep the past hidden, or at least ignore it, even though I realize I am only masking the problem by failing to confront it. I am really not good at apologizing, much less accepting the blame. My wife can attest to this, but thanks to ReEngage, I am getting better. While we may not intend to hurt someone else, we often do, and failure to face the reality of this hurts not only the other person, but it hurts us, too. The casual curt reply, the intentional snub, and the gossip that makes us look or feel better all weigh us down until our relationships are shallow or even destroyed.

Jacob did not just innocently hurt Esau. He had not only taken Esau's birthright, but he had also tricked his own father into giving him the blessing meant for his older brother. Then Jacob fled the country because he was afraid of Esau's wrath. Jacob had reason to assume that Esau would take every opportunity to cause him hurt and pain if given the opportunity. After years of fearing Esau, holding onto his own pain, and being hurt by others, Jacob decided to return to the promises God had given him. Once Jacob returned to the life God wanted for him, he experienced more of God's provision. When Jacob approached Esau, he came seeking forgiveness and restoration. What he did not expect is that God had already changed Esau's heart, and Esau was ready to meet Jacob with the acceptance and forgiveness that Jacob not only desired, but desperately needed.

I have experienced that when we acknowledge the hurts we have caused along with the hurts we have received and seek God's forgiveness and restoration, God will work miracles in our lives.

Discussion Questions

1. Have you found yourself fearing something you did in the past, someone you hurt, or someone who hurt you?

2. What problems has this fear caused for you? What problems has it caused for your relationship with that person and others around you?

3. Have you faced up to the hurt you have caused others, brought it to God, and then to the person you hurt?

4. Have you recognized that others have hurt you, brought it to God, and then to the other person?

MEMORY VERSES

Genesis 12:1-3

Now the Lord said to Abram,

"Go forth from your country,
And from your relatives
And from your father's house,
To the land which I will show you;
And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great;
And so you shall be a blessing;
And I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."

Comments

The views expressed under “Comments” are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Watermark Community Church.

Alonso

February 25, 2013 04:14 AM

I could not agree more with you Monte, homemade is best, Blue Bell and Ben & Jerry's work fine. In just 3-4 years of my slightly younger days I did an aweful lot of damage as I pursued a way of life that squandered everything in its path. But God wasn't done with me, radical change and an about face took place. I found recovery and rock solid people who loved and helped me through these incredible "steps." The amends process was TERRIFYING! 3-4 years brought on a hefty number of awkward conversations that I was to initiate if I was going to do this this 100% Thanks to sponsors mentors accountability and community I had guidance, lot and lots of guidance, I was prepared. You'll never guess what I found, all of these people/victims of my selfish ways embraced me and were happy to hear from me!? I love making amends nowadays at work church or with friends. However it is still very difficult for me in marriage as I often allow my pride to desieve me, thank God for community! And ice cream.
Sue Bohlin

February 25, 2013 04:49 AM

Wonderful devo, Monte, and you obviously spent quite some time meditating on Jacob and Esau to be able to write this gift to us! Reading about the brothers' reunion brought me to tears, especially the way the HCSB puts it: "But Esau ran to meet him, hugged him, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Then they wept." I've been camped out in Luke 15 for the past 4 days, so it was marvelous for me to see this OT scene of the same kind of grace and mercy we see in the "Parable of the Dancing God," as Baxter Kruger puts it. Esau met Jacob--actually, he RAN to him, just like the father of the prodigal ran to his repentant son--with warmth and forgiveness and grace and acceptance. Jacob's response was to receive Esau's grace as being "Yahweh with skin on." Linking the grace of acceptance to God's face shows that Jacob GETS IT. Especially after wrestling with Him, during which he was transformed. I love that we see the effect of God's working in both brothers' hearts in how they treated the other with great respect and honor. Just as people can see what a difference Jesus makes in our lives by the way we live so differently--whether from the world, or from our earlier selves. God is in the change business, that's for sure!
Lee Danis

February 25, 2013 09:28 AM

Excellent devotional Monte.There are many things I love about the Journey, and what I love about today's entry is the blessing you bring to all who are reading that damaged marriages can be repaired. Your central truth tells it all - both in restoring marriages and relationships with others. It takes faith and courage to do this and then you gave us the benefit of sharing it openly. We could all benefit from facing the challenges of your excellent questions. ps I was born in the state where Ben & Jerry's was founded. Do I have any partners in Journey land?
HopeH

February 25, 2013 11:10 AM

I have recently been working through a deep and fresh wound in my life and for first time learning work it out Gods way rather than through avoidance and unhealthy coping behaviors. Resolving conflict is hard and humbly work. I have recently discovered it is best to leave expectations of a persons response at the door and deal only with your stuff in the process. Apparently Jacob got to this place as well when He knew what wrong in his relationship with Esau and did what he could to reconcile their damaged relationship.
Katie B

February 25, 2013 11:50 AM

Thank you so much for sharing Monte! I am the girl who sits right in front of you and your wonderful wife on Sunday mornings. :) You have both been such a spiritual blessing to my life, and this devotional has done just the same. Facing my past failures has been something that has been difficult for me. When I first became a follower of Christ I only wanted to look ahead and not deal with my past mistakes. I have realized that confronting them is inevitable and although it is hard, the way God has transformed my heart and renewed my spirit has made it all worth it. I am a new creation in Christ that is able to put off my old self. And it's beautiful!