Beyond the Weekend

April 16 | Hope in the Mess

April 16, 2018

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me…then the Lord will be my God” Genesis 28:20a-21b (NIV)

Read: Genesis 28:10-22

Listen: Genesis 28

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Jacob finds himself in the middle of an epic tale. He stole the blessing from his brother Esau, and so Esau is planning a revenge murder. Now—the blessing Jacob stole was not an ordinary blessing. This blessing was first given from God to Abraham (Jacob’s grandfather) and was a promise of prosperity and protection. Their mom, Rebekah, overhears Esau’s intent to kill Jacob and sends Jacob on a trip to his Uncle Laban’s house some 570 miles away. This complicated family narrative lands Jacob in a perilous predicament: far from home, embarking on a 570-mile hike and a brother planning his demise.

There are seasons in life when we too can feel far from home. Our families can be one of our greatest sources of joy and comfort. They can also be the greatest source of disappointment and pain. Rifts in our family ties can destroy the “home” we long for.

When we find ourselves far from home—we can ask three helpful questions: Where am I? Where is God? How will I respond? We’ll explore these questions together this week. And we’ll be reminded there is hope even in the midst of family conflict. God does not abandon us to our plight but meets us there and walks with us through it.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

This week, ask God to meet you in the mess as you lean into your own family conflicts. God is not afraid of the challenges that you’re experiencing and he’s worthy of our trust. Journal a prayer to God today inviting him into your family with all of its complexities.


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

You Might Also Like