STOP DRAGGING YOUR PAST!

STOP DRAGGING YOUR PAST!

Gen 35:9-10

9 And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padan-aram, and blessed him.

10 And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.

          The name Jacob meant “he who supplants!”  The word supplant means “one who takes the place of another by force or trickery.” He had purchased his brothers birthright for a bowl of beans and then stolen his blessing by trickery. But his gains forced him to leave home and set out on a journey of toil and pain.

          He worked long years for Rachel but was given Leah instead. He worked even more years for Rachel. Everything he touched was blessed and when he left his father-in-law he had wives, children and riches. Along the way he was to meet his brother who came to meet him with a small army. Jacob feared for his life. His past had finally caught up to him.

          God revealed himself as El-shaddai or God Almighty and gave Jacob a new name which meant “he shall rule as God.” Israel would now be his name but he must now choose to leave his burdensome past behind. Along with a new name, God reaffirmed His promise. “The land which I gave to Abraham will now belong to you.”

          Are you ready to receive your promise? You must stop dragging your past behind you. Let it go! Listen to Almighty God and let Him change your future. Oh, there will yet be difficulties but now you have “power with God.” Your next move will not be the result of trickery and manipulation but the leading of the Lord.

Almighty God! Forgive my past and help me to drop it and let it go. Lead me to where you want me to go. AMEN