It's easy to become stuck in a situation for many years and lose perspective of the original plan for your life. Sometimes it happens gradually and we don't even realise how far we have strayed! It might be a broken relationship or an illness that strips the life out of you, taking you from the career you have enjoyed or the people you have loved. It's always God's plan to bring us 'home' to where he intends us to be. Whatever the situation, we can be sure that God has a plan and will lead us and be with us every step of the way!
In today's reading, Jacob's brothers-in-law were causing trouble. At this very low point for Jacob, God spoke directly to him, telling him to return home and giving him the reassurance that He would be with him.
"Jacob heard that Laban's sons were saying, "Jacob has taken everything our father owned and has gained all this wealth from what belonged to our father." And Jacob noticed that Laban's attitude toward him was not what it had been.
Then the Lord said to Jacob, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you." So Jacob sent word to Rachel and Leah to come out to the fields where his flocks were.
He said to them, "I see that your father's attitude toward me is not what it was before, but the God of my father has been with me. You know that I've worked for your father with all my strength, yet your father has cheated me by changing my wages ten times. However, God has not allowed him to harm me. If he said, 'The speckled ones will be your wages,' then all the flocks gave birth to speckled young; and if he said, 'The streaked ones will be your wages,' then all the flocks bore streaked young. So God has taken away your father's livestock and has given them to me. "In breeding season I once had a dream in which I looked up and saw that the male goats mating with the flock were streaked, speckled or spotted. The angel of God said to me in the dream, 'Jacob.' I answered, 'Here I am.' And he said, 'Look up and see that all the male goats mating with the flock are streaked, speckled or spotted, for I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you. I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land.' "
Then Rachel and Leah replied, "Do we still have any share in the inheritance of our father's estate? Does he not regard us as foreigners? Not only has he sold us, but he has used up what was paid for us. Surely all the wealth that God took away from our father belongs to us and our children. So do whatever God has told you.""
Genesis 31:1-16 NIV
Circumstances may have been very difficult, but at last, Jacob was going to make a break and start for home! He explained to his wives how God had helped him and not allowed harm to come to him. This reminds me of how important it is to remember the blessings of the past. They give us extra confidence when approaching challenging situations. It would not be easy to move back to the land God had given to Jacob's family as he had four wives, thirteen children, not to mention the large flocks and herds! However, even Rachel and Leah knew that Jacob must do what God was telling him to do!
Is there somewhere God is calling you to be but there appears to be obstacles in the way? Remember God has been with you in the past and He will continue to be there for you. You just need to step out in faith and do it!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for loving me and calling me to be Your child. Thank You for leading and guiding me in the past. Even in this challenging season, I know you are still with me each moment and I give You all the praise and glory for holding me up for so long! As I step out in faith on the path you have prepared for me, I choose to be courageous because You have promised never to leave me or forsake me. I just long to serve You and do whatever You tell me to do!
For Your glory and in Jesus' Name,
Amen.
"For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see."
Psalms 36:9 NLT
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Light and Life for Today
SpiritualA daily devotional for your time alone with God. In an increasingly dark world, more than ever, we need to look beyond what we can see, past our present circumstances. In order to see the light and experience life as our Heavenly Father intended, I...
