Keeping Faith & Not Giving Up
The third patriarchal character Jacob truly lives up to his name, stealing the family blessing meant for his twin brother Esau. But it is through Jacob that God’s promises are fulfilled in a greater degree. During a 20-year stay in Haran, Jacob the schemer becomes Jacob the servant of God. After leaving his uncle Laban, he reconciles to God, wrestling with the angel of Jehovah that leaves him with a new name Israel & limp.
Dear Lord, thanks for Yr goodness and redemption plan for mankind. Help us to Trust You like Abraham though not having all the answers; Submit to Your Will like Isaac and not demanding one own’s way; and Have Persevering Faith like Jacob who Didn’t Give Up easily. Lord, we see in the story of Jacob that You transform people in the course of fulfilling Your promises. Help us to have the tenacity of Jacob who Didn’t Give Up easily: Choosing Long-term Significance, Willing to work hard Patiently and Persevering On God’s promises. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen!
Lord, help us Choose Significance: One day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home from the wilderness exhausted and hungry. Esau said to Jacob, I’m starved! Give me some stew! All right, Jacob replied, but trade me your rights as the firstborn son. Look, I’m dying of starvation! said Esau. What good is my birthright to me now? But Jacob said: First you must swear that your birthright is mine. So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew (Gen 25:29-34). Lord, all that U have promised for those who love U is of great worth. But it takes eyes of faith to see it and a willingness to wait for it while this world wants instant gratificatn. So help us Lord to choose wisely for Longterm Significance rather than momentary craving. Amen.
Lord, help us Learn to Be Patient: As Jacob was in love with Rachael, he told her father: I’ll work for you for seven years if you’ll give me Rachael your younger daughter as my wife. Agreed! Labuan replied Finally the time came for him to marry her. I have fulfilled my agreement, Jacob said to Labuan. So Labuan prepared a wedding feast. But that night, when it was dark, Labuan took Leah to Jacob, and he slept with her. When Jacob woke up in the morning, it was Leah! Jacob raged at Labuan: Why have u tricked me? (Gen 29:16-25) Altho Jacob made many mistakes, his hard work for 14 years teaches us about living a life of service. When faced with challenges, help us Lord Not Give Up so easily, but instead be willing to work hard for You and Wait Patiently. Amen.
Lord, help us Don’t Stop Believing: So Jacob was left alone and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said: Let me go, for it is daybreak. But Jacob replied: I will not let you go unless U bless me (Gen 32:24-26). Lord,help us emulate Jacob,staying there until he receives the blessing. I confess I’ve times of fear & doubt but I commit to trust You more and purpose to pray more each day. Help us Fight a good fight, Believe and Hold On to Yr promises. Amen.