(Gen 30:29 MSG) Jacob replied, “You know well what my work has meant to you and how your livestock has flourished under my care.
This morning we continue our new series entitled, “Faith and Patience VOL III – Never Give Up!” Yesterday I introduced you to Jacob, the grandson of Abraham. Jacob tricked his brother into giving up his birthright, he tricked his father into giving him the blessing, and his selfishness caused a tremendous rift within his family. We learned yesterday how he finally came to the realization that God was with him the entire time, but he did not even know it. Jacob arose from his dream with a newfound reverence for God. He took the stone he was using for a pillow and poured oil over it. He named the place Bethel, which means: the House of God. Jacob then vowed a vow saying, “If God stands by me and protects me on this journey on which I’m setting out, keeps me in food and clothing, and brings me back in one piece to my father’s house, this God will be my God. This stone that I have set up as a memorial pillar will mark this as a place where God lives. And everything you give me, I’ll return a tenth to you” (see Gen 28:17-22). Jacob committed his faith, finances, and future to the Lord that day and he set out in pursuit of his destiny. Whether he received it the wrong way or not, Jacob had his father’s blessing and he was ready to walk in it.
Jacob met with Laban (his mother’s brother) and he was immediately drawn to the beauty of Rachel (his youngest daughter). Jacob made an agreement to work for Laban for seven years for the right to marry Rachel, but when the wedding night came, Laban tricked the trickster and gave him Leah (the older sister) instead. Jacob reaped what he had sown (trickery) and he had to work an additional seven years for Rachel. If that were not taxing enough, Jacob also had to deal with something both his father and grandfather faced – having a barren wife. Rachel, the woman that he loved, could not bear children and she wound up doing what Jacob’s grandmother (Sarah) had done – she asked Jacob to lay with her maidservant. However, the Lord did bless Rachel—just like He had with Sarah and Rebekah before her—and Rachel gave birth to Joseph. She also later gave birth to Benjamin.
After Joseph was born Jacob spoke to Laban and asked to be released to go home to his father’s land. But Laban said, “I have learned through divine inquiry that God has blessed me because of you.” Laban was getting rich off of the Blessing on Jacob’s life, but he was not compensating him properly. So Laban said, “Name your wages. I’ll pay you.” Jacob, knowing his worth, replied, “You know well what my work has meant to you and how your livestock has flourished under my care. The little you had when I arrived has increased greatly; everything I did resulted in blessings for you. Isn’t it about time that I do something for my own family?” We will stop here for today.
So what does this mean to you today? It means you must believe in God, believe in yourself, and believe in the Blessing on your life. Things are not always going to be easy, but you cannot give up. Jacob worked seven years for Rachel, only to be tricked on his wedding night. He was upset, but did he give up? No! He worked seven more years. Then Rachel could not have any children and she brought him her handmaiden. But did they give up trying? No! And eventually Rachel had two children. Lastly, we will see tomorrow how Laban was getting rich off of Jacob, while barely paying him anything at all. But Jacob throw in the towel? No! Jacob refused to quit and he received his financial breakthrough. So the message is simple: NEVER GIVE UP!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for your blessing on my life. I learn from Jacob and I develop perseverance. I know things are not always going to be easy. I know I am going to have to face opposition. I know I will even have to reap a few bad harvests from the bad seeds I have down. But I am committed to You and to fulfilling Your purpose for my life. I am in this for the long haul and I shall not quit. I am a winner and not a loser. I am the victor and not the victim. I am the conqueror and not he conquered. I am the head and not the tail. I will not lose, because I refuse to quit! Forward ever, backward never! The best is yet to come. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
