Invitation and Preparation
O God, make speed to save us
O Lord, make haste to help us
(Silence)
Let us pray:
Blessed are you, sovereign Lord, God of our ancestors: to you be praise and glory for ever. You called the patriarchs to live by the light of faith and to journey in the hope of your promised fulfillment. May we be obedient to your call and be ready and watchful to receive your Christ, a lamp to our feet and a light to our path; for you are our light and our salvation. Amen.
Listen and Receive
God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him. And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.” So he called his name Israel. And God said to him, “I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body. The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give the land to your offspring after you.” Then God went up from him in the place where he had spoken with him. And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he had spoken with him, a pillar of stone. He poured out a drink offering on it and poured oil on it. So Jacob called the name of the place where God had spoken with him Bethel.
Genesis 35:9-15
May the Word of God rest gently on our hearts, that when our hearts break the Word of God may flow in.
(Silence)
Reflect and Respond
There is once again trouble and Jacob is fearful of the people around him. God again calls to Jacob, and Jacob and his household put away their idols and foreign gods and travel once again to the place where Jacob prayed before meeting Esau. God meets Jacob once more. He gives Jacob a new name and reassures Jacob of both the power of God and the promise of God. Jacob responds in worship.
In this time of disruption and uncertainty, it is easy for us to be afraid. However, even in our fear, God calls us to come and meet him, to cast away the idols and foreign gods that we carry around with us, the idols of money, status, power, lust, and greed, to come to him and receive our name, to hear God call us “Beloved,” to be reminded of the mighty power and steadfast promise of God, and to respond in worship.
I wonder, how might God be calling you?
Blessed and Sent
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
In this season of light, may your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.