The Support of your Spouse makes a BIG Difference

(Gen 31:16 CEV)  Now do whatever God tells you to do.  Even the property God took from our father and gave to you really belongs to us and our children.

This morning we continue our new series entitled, “Faith and Patience VOL III – Never Give Up!” by continuing to look at the life of Jacob.  By now we have seen that Jacob had to overcome a great deal in his life.  Like most of us, Jacob’s life was not a cakewalk and like most believers eventually find out, God never promised us a perpetual picnic.  We closed out last week with a message about how God had become personal to Jacob.  Jehovah was no longer the God of his forefathers, but rather the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  His personal relationship with God enabled him to overcome all that he did.  But I also need to mention the fact that Jacob had the support of his wives.

Jacob took the time to explain to his wives how their father had tricked him over the years and how God had blessed him by transferring the wealth of their father to him (with the spotted and speckled animals).  This could have been a sticky situation.  Jacob was dealing with two women and talking to them about their own father.  But when you are being led of God He seems to make even the most crooked paths straight.  Jacob’s two wives agreed with him, supported him, and said, “Do whatever God tells you to do!”  I wanted to go further in the story this morning, but I can’t get past those seven words, “Do whatever God tells you to do!”  I can identify with this passage because my wife tells me those same seven words all the time.  She trusts me to hear from God in order to lead my family, just as Jacob’s wives trusted him.

So what does this mean to you today?  Two things:

1.  When you are led of God you will have the insight required to overcome every obstacle.  Life is not always going to be easy.  In this world you will face opposition.  Paul said that all who live Godly would suffer persecution (2 Tim 3:12).  But the good news is that we don’t have to face our challenges alone.  Not only is God with us, in us, and for us… but His Holy Spirit can literally guide us in the way that we should go.  Jesus said, “My sheep recognize my voice.  I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).  Every person that has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord (Rom 10:9,10) and expressed faith in Him has received the promised Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13).  This is what Jesus said about the Holy Spirit: “The Spirit shows what is true and will come and guide you into the full truth.  The Spirit doesn’t speak on his own.  He will tell you only what he has heard from me, and he will let you know what is going to happen.  The Spirit will bring glory to me by taking my message and telling it to you” (John 16:13,14).

2.  When you have the support of your spouse you feel like you can conquer the world.  Jacob had the support of his wives.  While I was not there, I can safely say that his spouse’s belief in him helped Jacob overcome the challenges that he did.  When your spouse believes in you, and you know that you have their unrelenting love and support, then you can face every obstacle with unyielding confidence.  I can’t tell you how many times I have thanked God for the support of my wife.  Without my wife I would not be a portion of the man that God has graced me to be.  She has supported me through thick and thin, right and wrong, successes and mistakes, and her support has meant the world to me.  So please support your spouse, believe in them, pray for them, and become their biggest fan.  It will help them and in turn, it will also help you!

Closing Confession:  Father, I am Your sheep and I know Your voice.  Whether it comes by a clear audible voice, a still small voice, or simply an internal knowing, I declare that I hear from You and I am committed to do whatever You tell me to do!  As I seek to hear from You and to fulfill Your Kingdom plans and purposes for my life, I thank You for the support of my spouse.  I support my spouse wholeheartedly, I trust in the God in my spouse, and I love them with unconditional love.  Likewise, my spouse supports me and their support helps build my confidence as I face every challenge head on.  Together Father—me, You, and my spouse—we can and will make a difference in our sphere of influence!  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper!