December 29, 2009
Genesis 31:25–30 - Laban says, "What have you done...me, me, me, mine, mine...."
Genesis 31:36 - Jacob responds, "What wrong have I done?"
Genesis 31:38–42 - Jacob did not cheat Laban but instead went overboard to ensure fairness.
The Lord corrected Laban. That is a strong statement. Sometimes the only thing that will stop someone is the Lord correcting them. IF—suffering God-planned consequences is what helps someone turn from their ways and understand they need a Savior, THEN—every consequence suffered would be a blessing because they accepted salvation for their souls. It's a difficult process to watch, but it is God's hand working. Unfortunately, even though suffering great consequences, not everyone turns from their ways and changes their hearts and lives.
II Chronicles 7:14 - If only they would "humble themselves and pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways," THEN—I will hear and heal their land. IF—THEN.
Forgiveness: Grace, love, mercy. Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. For when you forgive it is like Jacob said in Genesis 33:10 - "It is like seeing the face of God."
Un-forgiveness: A cancer to your very soul. Anger and revenge will literally "eat" you up and destroy you from the inside out. To not forgive, and to seek revenge, is to allow yourself to be removed from God. Is that really what you want?
Un-forgiveness puts you in a self-made prison. Forgiveness sets you free.
Next Entry: Genesis 34:1 – 36:43
Genesis 31:25–30 - Laban says, "What have you done...me, me, me, mine, mine...."
Genesis 31:36 - Jacob responds, "What wrong have I done?"
Genesis 31:38–42 - Jacob did not cheat Laban but instead went overboard to ensure fairness.
But God!
Genesis 31:42 - "But God ... was with me. Otherwise, you would have sent me away with nothing."
But God! A common thread throughout this story and scripture. Where would we be without God? It is GOD who protects us and saves us from the storms in our lives. Not ourselves, not man, and not happenstance. GOD, and God alone is our shield and protector.
But God! A common thread throughout this story and scripture. Where would we be without God? It is GOD who protects us and saves us from the storms in our lives. Not ourselves, not man, and not happenstance. GOD, and God alone is our shield and protector.
The Lord corrected Laban. That is a strong statement. Sometimes the only thing that will stop someone is the Lord correcting them. IF—suffering God-planned consequences is what helps someone turn from their ways and understand they need a Savior, THEN—every consequence suffered would be a blessing because they accepted salvation for their souls. It's a difficult process to watch, but it is God's hand working. Unfortunately, even though suffering great consequences, not everyone turns from their ways and changes their hearts and lives.
II Chronicles 7:14 - If only they would "humble themselves and pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways," THEN—I will hear and heal their land. IF—THEN.
Genesis 31:43 - Laban's pride. It was all about my, me, mine. Until we are willing to open our hands and admit that all we have is God's and surrender to Him what is already His—we are captive in a self-made prison and fighting a losing battle. There is complete freedom and rest when you learn to surrender ALL to him.
Genesis 32: 9–12 - Jacob reminds God of his promises.
We are so grateful for God's promises. His written words are what we rely on. We are so grateful that He also chose to speak to us through Jane's lips. (Her Name Was Jane) I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes. It is hard to imagine that God chose to show himself to us in such a miraculous way. To have the God of creation reach down to touch your life in such a tangible but inexplicable way brings you to your knees and the only words that can even come close to the emotions and gratitude we feel are the words of the prophet Isaiah—"HOLY, HOLY, HOLY"—and even those words are not enough to acknowledge or give to God the honor and glory He deserves.
Praise be to God, the maker of heaven and earth, for all HE has done.
We are so grateful for God's promises. His written words are what we rely on. We are so grateful that He also chose to speak to us through Jane's lips. (Her Name Was Jane) I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes. It is hard to imagine that God chose to show himself to us in such a miraculous way. To have the God of creation reach down to touch your life in such a tangible but inexplicable way brings you to your knees and the only words that can even come close to the emotions and gratitude we feel are the words of the prophet Isaiah—"HOLY, HOLY, HOLY"—and even those words are not enough to acknowledge or give to God the honor and glory He deserves.
Praise be to God, the maker of heaven and earth, for all HE has done.
Forgiveness: Grace, love, mercy. Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. For when you forgive it is like Jacob said in Genesis 33:10 - "It is like seeing the face of God."
Un-forgiveness: A cancer to your very soul. Anger and revenge will literally "eat" you up and destroy you from the inside out. To not forgive, and to seek revenge, is to allow yourself to be removed from God. Is that really what you want?
Un-forgiveness puts you in a self-made prison. Forgiveness sets you free.
Next Entry: Genesis 34:1 – 36:43
No comments:
Post a Comment