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I love reading about Jacob’s journey; it’s such an encouragement! God promised Abraham that He would be a great nation. He promised him that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars and the sand, and He’d make Abraham’s name great (Gen. 12:2; 13:16; 22:17). So, when I read the story of Jacob, I see God’s promises coming to fruition.
In the story of Jacob, God is strategically moving things like a skilled chess player.
“When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.” (Gen. 29:31, NKJV)
“Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister, and said to Jacob, ‘Give me children, or else I die!’ And Jacob’s anger was aroused against Rachel, and he said, ‘Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?’ So she said, ‘Here is my maid Bilhah; go in to her, and she will bear a child on my knees, that I also may have children by her.'” (Gen. 30:1-3, NKJV)
“When Leah saw that she had stopped bearing, she took Zilpah her maid and gave her to Jacob as wife. And Leah’s maid Zilpah bore Jacob a son.” (Gen. 30:9-10, NKJV)
In today’s passage, we see these women in Jacob’s life become part of God’s plan to multiply his seed. God uses these women to bring about His promise to Abraham, thus, giving birth to a great nation! When reading through chapters 28-31 of Genesis, we see bickering, conniving, strife, chaos, shame, loneliness, and conflict. But in the midst of all that, God is still at work! He’s still working behind the scenes to bring about the promises He’d given.
I wonder if Jacob noticed God’s work. I wonder if Jacob saw how God was putting things in motion to bring about the promises He made to him, his father, Isaac, and his grandfather, Abraham. I wonder if Jacob detected a move of God. In the midst of all the commotion, fights, jealousy, plots, and deals by the women in his life, I wonder if Jacob noticed God moving. I wonder if Jacob could really see God working everything out in the midst of all of his uncle’s deceitfulness. I wonder if Jacob noticed God moving at all.
We can ask ourselves those same questions.
Do I see God moving? Am I noticing God shifting and arranging things into their appropriate position? Can I see God moving and positioning me to receive the things I’ve prayed for? Am I aware? In the midst of trying to wrap my head around things that don’t make sense, am I aware that God is moving behind the scenes or am I missing it? In the midst of all the commotion and all the noise that are going on around us, do we see God working everything out for our good? In the midst of not understanding what God is doing and trying to make sense of it all, are we aware that our God is at work? Do we see what God is doing!
My sisters, God is moving on our behalf! Don’t allow the chaos and difficulties in our lives to blind us from really seeing God’s hand at work. God is constantly at work in lives, but we’ll miss it if we keep focusing on the noise. Let’s not miss what GOD is doing, but watch Him work!!
“[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.” (Phil. 2:13, AMP)
During your Quiet Time, MEDITATE on God’s Word, WATCH to today’s music video and keep walking in freedom!
LET’S WALK IN FREEDOM TOGETHER & IMPACT THE WORLD!
Rhovonda L. Brown is speaker and author of two bestsellers, Walking in Freedom!: A Thirty-Day Devotional Journey for Women and At Least Say, “Thank You!”: An 8-Day Devotional Plan for a Grateful Heart.
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