Reflecting on Seven Declarations for a Troubled Soul.

Genesis 28:15,16

¹⁵ Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” ¹⁶ Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” 

The questions for this week are reflections from the sermon preached on Sunday January 15^th titled:

Seven Declarations for the Troubled Soul.

1. Prior to coming to Christ, what was your common reaction to troubling circumstances? What is your ‘go to’ reaction at this point in your discipleship? Do those closest to you ever share concerns regarding your behavior when you are faced with unwelcome adversity? What are you doing to improve your reactions? In what ways have you sought the Lord’s help?
2. God made several declarations to Jacob in Genesis 28:15. Read through the passage and share at least one example of a declaration that has helped you through a season of trial in your life.
3. Using the list of declarations below, discuss how you might offer biblical support for each declaration to use in conversations with non-believers.

• God is Present with us.
• God’s Protection is available to us.
• God will Preserve us – bringing us through the trial and back to rest.
• God will Pardon sin – Can you explain how he accomplish this with you and what he expects from those who claim to be his disciples? See Luke 6:37.
• God Pursues us. Can you clearly, but also briefly describe how God pursued you for salvation? Think about how you’d share that in a conversation with an unbeliever.
• God Providentially secures us – orchestrating the outcome of our trials while we wait in trust of Him. Do you personally belief that God is in control over all the activity of the universe? If so, how would you communicate that belief to someone who believes the world is out of control?
• Gods Permanence and Patience – He is faithful when we are faithless. What ways do you sincerely encourage someone who is struggling with their faith during a season of suffering? Have you ever experienced “encouragement” that wasn’t helpful?

Has the enemy ever succeeded in convincing you that the Lord was NOT in the place of your deepest need? What convinced you that he really was there when you couldn’t see him?