Good morning, today we read only Chapters 31 & 32 of Genesis.
There are three things that stand out as I read through the Bible each morning. Today is no different.
Attitudes Change.
First, in 31:2, we see that Laban’s attitude toward Jacob had changed.
I know many people, including myself, who can be very stubborn. When someone has wronged us, real or perceived, we hold on to that grudge. We only harm ourselves when we do this. Some say people don’t change, and I am not sure I will disagree with them, on principle, but God can change a person’s heart. I was a firm atheist and yet God came into my life and transformed me.
Whether a person changes, however, our perception of them, or theirs of us, can vary. When I was younger, I hated President Ronald Reagan. I voted for President Jimmy Carter. Since my priorities have changed, I now recognize Reagan’s strength as a leader and question my vote for Carter. Is it change? Or is it growth? Maturation?
My point here is not political. It is dealing with how we lock in our minds an image of what someone is, and people are too complex to do that. Just as we grow with experience in life, so do they. We cheat ourselves out of discovering who people are now when we prejudge them based on what we used to believe.
Be Available.
Second, in 31:11 an angel calls for Jacob and I love his answer: “Here I am!.”
I ran from the Lord much of my life. Realizing my perception of Jesus was wrong crushed me, and I humbled myself. After I did, I felt Him calling on me to serve. This had to be a mistake. I was His enemy. How could He want me to serve Him?
God does not make mistakes. Empowered by him, I now have the words and courage to speak and write. By removing barriers and providing resources, he has helped. Not due to any special quality in me, but because of who He is, He did this. But, because my answer, and I honestly do not know why I responded this way, so I will attribute that to the Holy Spirit as well, was “Here I am.”
I talk with people all the time about how they felt they should do this or that, and how they think certain things should be done. When it involves service to the Lord, this is a sign that God is putting on your heart a desire to do something, but the enemy is trying to interject fear so that you won’t.
So you may question if you have the time, the knowledge or the ability to carry it out. Even though you believe someone should.
That someone is you! Stop listening to fear and take a chance. Next time you encounter that, say, “Here I am,” and be amazed at what God can do with you.
It’s Not About You.
In chapter 32, we read how Jacob split his group into two camps out of fear. We read he felt unworthy. This is confirmation to me we all struggle with these doubts.
Third, in response to those doubts, Jacob reminds God of His promises. God does not forget.
Jacob did not remind God; instead, God guided Jacob to remember the promises and God’s faithfulness. He will not lead us into a path of destruction, but will deliver us from those trails when we wander down them.
Thank you for reading along with us. You do not know how encouraging you all are to me. For a complete calendar of what to read, you can go to www.thomlinders.com/calendar. Tomorrow you will want to read chapters 33-35. May God bless you all.
