God Gave Jacob A Remedy for Discouragement

Where to find hope

Today’s Through the Bible Reading: Genesis 33-35

After troubled times, God told Jacob to return to where he first met God. Herein lies a beautiful remedy for discouragement!

In today’s Bible reading we find Jacob battered by life’s circumstances. He had faced family conflict with his brother Esau; as a parent, Jacob’s sons were making awful decisions; his daughter found herself involved with the "world" and reaping the consequences; and there was war and death because of it all. But God, who is rich in mercy gives Jacob direction in the midst of life’s difficulties.

And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fled from the face of Esau thy brother. Genesis 35:1

God told Jacob to go to Bethel and worship. The name Bethel means house of God. There’s no better place to gain perspective and encouragement than in God’s house, worshiping Him. Bethel was where God first met Jacob (Gen 28) and it’s where God will also refresh him.

Revelation 2:4 warns us not to forget our first love, that fresh perspective and emotion that was experienced when we came to Christ. Remember what Jesus did for us on the cross. Remember where we were before we were re-born (Eph 2). Reflect on all God has done for us and on our behalf.

This is what Jacob does. He goes to Bethel and builds an altar. He tells his family to “put away the strange gods” (Gen 35:2) and get ready to seek the Lord. Here is the remedy for discouragement and depression: put away compromise and seek the Lord! Embracing compromise brings heartache, but eating at the Lord’s table brings joy!

The Psalmist knew this when he wrote: "When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end." Psalm 73:16-17

When discouragement threatens to dim the truth of God’s goodness and faithfulness, REMEMBER to set your eyes on JESUS…

I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a god as our God? Psalm 77:11-13

We’re given a remedy for discouragement.

I thought of a remedy for my discouragement – I’ll remember how God met us in the past and remind myself of all He’s done. Psalm 77:10 (paraphrased)

So REJOICE. Go to “Bethel”, worship the Lord, and feast at His table. Don't forget His mighty deeds and His great love for you (Ps 78:4).