Verse of the Day 6/1

Through the Bible - Hosea 1-4, Matthew 18:1-20

 

Good morning,

In yesterday's devotional we had seen where God had assured Jacob "I am with you" as he headed out from his home and family.

For today's verse we'll skip ahead a few chapters to a second promise which is much like the first.  Its an assurance that as I was with you in the previous trial I will be with you in whatever lies ahead. 

 

 Genesis 31:3 (New International Version) Then the LORD said to Jacob, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you."

In the great commission the disciples were told to go.  In this instance, Jacob truly couldn't go forward from this point until he dealt with his past.  Leaving Laban would be hard enough in itself with its own encounters, but going back home would bring about others,  His upcoming, and dreaded, encounter with Esau was necessary for him to truly move on with his life without having to look back over his shoulder thinking his brother might be there seeking revenge.

 

God would be with Jacob as he left Laban, he would be with him in his dark night of the soul with the loss of Rachel and the reported death of his son Joseph.  He would be with him when he would see Joseph again and as he approached death with confidence and passed on blessings to future generations. He would need the presence of the Lord to get through those times, God prepared him with "I will be with you'."

 

Have you felt the presence of God in and though trials in your life?  One thing we can be sure of, we will encounter "various trials" (James 1:2).  Our dark night of the soul may be ahead of us.  How important is it for you to have this promise from our heavenly Father "I will be with you" as you face the day ahead.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Genesis 31:1-3 (New International Version)

Genesis 31

Jacob Flees From Laban

 ¹ Jacob heard that Laban's sons were saying, "Jacob has taken everything our father owned and has gained all this wealth from what belonged to our father." ² And Jacob noticed that Laban's attitude toward him was not what it had been.

 ³ Then the LORD said to Jacob, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you."