What’s the Real Message?

Joy is one way I describe the thought of preparing for each of the sermons in our Sunday morning "Yoo-hoo!" series. That is, until this week. What changed?

When I started studying the Bible passage, I was not hearing from God what I thought He should be saying. I really liked the ideas I had. I reasoned that, surely, my ideas would "preach" and be a help to those listening. I've read the passage many times in the past, so I was sure to have a good grasp of it, right? Not so fast. This was a lesson in listening, instead of holding a one-way conversation with God.

I know I am not the only person to do this. We frequently open the Bible with our own ideas or the ideas of others. They may come from sermons we've heard, Sunday school class discussions, or Google searches. Obviously, since God wrote the Bible, it's important to approach the Bible listening to what He wants It to say (2 Peter 1:20-21).

Admittedly, I had jumped into Bible study sure that God was going to confirm and bless what I brought to the table. He didn't. Indeed, what I thought would be a quick sermon (if there ever is such a thing), turned into an arduous battle. I felt like Jacob in Genesis 32 wrestling the Angel of the Lord begging God to bless me, so I could get the sermon written!

As an aside, I guess I have always wondered why God said Jacob had won when Jacob had clearly not beaten the Angel of the Lord. When the match was over, Jacob had an injury that would make him halt and remember the event every step for the rest of his life. Afterward, Jacob realized the power of God and understood God's mercy and grace. Jacob knew God could have killed him, so he named the location "Peniel" because he saw the face of God. I believe when we find the "Angel of the Lord" in the Old Testament, it's an expression showing the pre-incarnate appearances of Christ. Can you really beat God in a wrestling match? You can try to give Him an armlock or your best body slam diving off the ropes, but the answer is still a resounding no. Wrestling with God, Jacob did not lose, however, and neither have I--neither have you--if we surrender to Him and His Word! God isn't interested in making us losers. God is interested in making us winners by surrendering ourselves to His Truth and will (Romans 8:31). The losers are those who don't surrender.

It wasn't until laying aside my thoughts and reading, re-reading, praying, pondering, and analyzing the Bible text over and over in light of supporting passages that the Holy Spirit slowly started to assemble the pieces. Things took shape, and I realized that God's message has so much more power and dimension than my own ideas did.

The joy returned as I re-learned an important lesson. God's Word stands independent of anyone's thoughts. I was bringing my own preconceived notions to God's Word, rather than letting God speak to me. Now, as the old song says, "I've a message from the Lord, Hallelujah! The message unto you I'll give. 'Tis recorded in His Word, Hallelujah! It is only that you look and live." I can't wait to share it with you on Sunday!

God bless,
Pastor Dennis Schaffer