Acknowledge God’s Goodness

(Gen 31:24 CEV)  But God appeared to Laban in a dream that night and warned, “Don’t say a word to Jacob.  Don’t make a threat or a promise.”

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.  If you truly want to be able to hold on for the long haul and to get the point where you can resist the urge to give up, then you will need to acknowledge God’s overwhelming goodness in your life.  When you do, it will provide the periodic motivation you need to keep going.  I can’t tell you how many times I have thought to myself, “Wow.  God, I don’t know why you are so good to me, but I am thankful that You are!”  Let me give you an example of how this applies to Jacob.

Yesterday I explained how Laban set out after Jacob with a furious attitude.  He was ready to bring Jacob physical harm for leaving with his daughters and grandchildren without saying a word.  It is dangerous when a grown man is at his boiling point; especially a man without God in his life.  You never really know what might happen.  Knowing this, God intervened.  The Lord spoke to Laban before he caught up to Jacob and said, “Don’t say a word to Jacob.  Don’t make a threat or a promise.”  This did not mean that Laban could not speak to Jacob, because he did, but it clearly meant that he was NOT to bring him any harm.  When Laban caught up to Jacob he said, “… You didn’t even give me a chance to kiss my own grandchildren and daughters good-by.  That was really foolish.  I could easily hurt you, but the God your father worshiped has warned me not to make any threats or promises.”  If it were not for the intervention of God, this situation would have played out a different way.  This leads me to highlight three things:

1.  Grace:  Grace has been defined many ways.  One definition is: God giving you what you do not deserve.  In this case Jacob experienced grace.  Although God told Jacob to leave, he did not leave the right way.  Jacob operated in fear (31:31), not faith, and he caused turmoil because of it.  But by God’s grace He intervened anyway and He kept Laban from doing Jacob harm.  Thank God for grace.

2.  Mercy:  Mercy also has several definitions.  One definition is: God NOT giving you what you DO deserve.  Not only did God give Jacob what he did not deserve (grace), but he also withheld some things that he probably did deserve (mercy).  I am sure you can testify of both grace and mercy operating in your life.  Thank God for mercy.

3.  Favor:  The definition I use for favor is: when God raises up people who use their power, their ability, and their influence to help you in ways you cannot help yourself.  God moved upon Laban in order for Laban to move in favor of Jacob.  Just like God can supernaturally order events to bless us with either grace or mercy, He can also intervene through the lives of others and cause us to be favored in any situation.  It can be with your boss, family members, children, a complete stranger, etc.; but God can surely touch the heart of someone to use their power, ability, and influence to help you.  Thank God for favor.

So what does this mean to you today?  It means that Jacob was not perfect, but God still blessed him, and He can do the same for you.  Many times God blesses us, not because we deserve it, but merely because of His grace.  And when you acknowledge those times, and you remember them in the time of trouble, then you will have the motivation you need to keep going!

Closing Confession:  Father, I am in Christ and am therefore Abraham’s seed.  Just like You blessed Jacob by grace and the Blessing of Abraham was in operation in his life, I believe You will do the same for me.  I thank You in advance for Your grace to bless me, even when I don’t even deserve it.  I also thank You for Your mercy, that often keeps me from receiving the bad I do deserve.  And lastly Father, I thank You for Your favor.  You move upon the hearts of others and they wind up using their power, ability, and influence to help me, even when they don’t know why they are doing it.  I thank You for grace, mercy, and favor.  And as I remember all the times you have been good to me, I am able to keep going, even when the going gets tough.  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

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