THE NEW YOU

 

THE NEW YOU

Gen. 35:9-10 God appeared to Jacob once again when he arrived at Bethel after traveling from Paddam-aram. God blessed him and said, “Your name is no longer Jacob; you will now be called Israel.” NLT

Something had happened to Jacob, something life-changing. Jacob was a successful man. He had accumulated much wealth, had a large family, much livestock, and was relatively at peace with God. Yet, God knew that Jacob was not where he should be with Him so He spoke to him upon several occasions. God had reminded him of His promise to bless Abraham’s seed and that it would now be through him. God was constantly at work in Jacob’s life to make him into a servant who would love and honor Him. Jacob finally arrived and God blessed him with a new name, a name that depicted his new character and life.

What has the Lord been doing in your life to change you? Are you the same person you have always been, or is there marked improvements in your character and living? God does not give up on us even when we give up on ourselves. He knows who we can be and persistently works to help us become that person. As long as we don’t resist Him, God will make us into servants who will honor Him and love Him in all we do.

God promises to make us new creations in Him, but He won’t do it without our cooperation. If you are not the person you know you should, or could be, then you need to pause and admit to the Lord your resistance, ask Him to forgive you for being so stubborn, and give Him all your heart, mind, and soul. If you do, you will soon see the new you begin to happen and you will be very pleased, as will God who wants nothing but the best for you.