Have you ever been Tested? God allows us to go through many Tests in our life.
In this part of Genesis we see Jacob being Tested over and over again. He was Tested when he escaped to Bethel after he stole his brothers blessing.
Jacob was Tested when his father in law made him work 7 years for his daughter Rachel only to be deceived. His Father in Law Laban gave Jacob Leah instead of Rachel.
Jacob was Tested when his sons mass murdered the people from Shecuum.
Jacob's Faith was Tested when he wrestled with God.
Jacob's Self Reliance was Tested when he dislocated his hip. Now Jacob would have to fully Trust God.
Jacob's commitment was Tested when he lost his wife and son in the span of three years.
Sometimes in the process of life we suffer for things we didn't do. On the other hand sometimes we suffer and cause others to suffer by the decisions we make.
No matter how we got in the situation we are in God can always turn things around. The Bible often talks about how God turns evil to good.
The enemy wants to whisper things like, "you brought this pain on yourself. Now you have to pay the price. You don't deserve anything from God. God is through with you!!!!"
When God wrestled with Jacob, Jacob was confused, full of guilt and doubt. He stayed up all night. The Lord let Jacob wear himself out. Jacob was very determined and wouldn't let go of all the negative thoughts and plans to cover up all the mistakes.
God dislocated Jacob's hip to get his attention and so he had no choice but to rely on God.
GOD CRIPPLES US SO WE RELY ON HIM!
It is hard to Trust God when we are in the middle of the Storm. We tend to see the Storm and not Him.
God prepared Esau's heart and everything turned out OK. All that worrying for what?
I don't know about you but I get trapped in my thoughts all the time just like Jacob.
Instead of playing out in my mind the positive I play out the negative. It is natural to do this. The enemy likes to trap us.
Time passed on and Jacob was very old. A famine was coming and the family had very little resources.
Jacob sends his sons to Egypt as a last resort. Now Jacob only has Benjamine. The boys came back and said the man in charge of the food supplies of the whole world demanded to see Benjamine.
Now Jacob is right where he started. He is alone and crippled with no one.
However Good News was about ready to be unveiled. All of the suffering and strife was about to end.
The whole point to this story is for us to realize we need to come to the end of ourselves for God to work Miracles in our lives.
Here Jacob is informed that his son Joseph is ALIVE!
God Spoke to Jacob after Jacob was informed of the Great News that his son was Alive. The Lord told Jacob not to be worried but to trust Him. He said, "Joseph will close your eyes. Joseph will be with you when you pass away."
WHEN GOD GOVERNS WE REJOICE!
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18
Jacob must have been overwhelmed with Excitement and Joy.
"Then Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen. He presented himself to him and(AD) fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while. Israel said to Joseph,(AE) "Now let me die, since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive." Gen 46:29-30
Notice how the Lord changes Jacob's name back to Israel. Joseph must have remembered his early years with his dad when his dad told him the story of how he got his name. Israel means, God Governs.
WHEN GOD GOVERNS WE REJOICE!
The story of meeting God at Bethel when he was very stressed out and how Jacob saw angels going up and down a ladder to heaven. (In John Chapter 1 Jesus tells Nathaniel that He is the ladder in Jacob's vision)
Joseph may have remembered how his father had incredible faith. Then Joseph's mother died and three years later Israel thought Joseph died.
After this Israel went back to his old name Jacob. Jacob was a very depressed sorrowful man for many years. He lost his Spouse and Son in three years.
Friends, life is full of ups and downs. The disciples were also worried about their future. Jesus said, "let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in me! I have a great future for you. My Dad has a Mansion for you. Yes life is tough so focus on me not the circumstances of life."
John 14
WHEN GOD GOVERNS WE REJOICE!
When God Governs we Rejoice because we know all is good. Yes things and situations throw us for a loop. Israel lost the two most important people in his life in three years. Israel went back to Jacob as he lost all hope.
Now at last God brings everything together and Jacob becomes Israel again.
WHEN GOD GOVERNS WE REJOICE!
God also wants to Govern our Life.
Just Go!!
Rick
Jan 23 Readings - GENESIS 46:1-47:31 | MATTHEW 15:1-28 | PSALM 19:1-14 | PROVERBS 4:14-19
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