God's Hand at Work

Scripture:

Genesis 31:42 (ESV)

If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you.”

Devotional:

It is amazing what God does for us.  Even before Jacob fully accepted God as his God he was watched over.  God had blessed and protected Jacob.  Jacob prospered despite how others treated him.  Laban his father-in-law tried to cheat Jacob.  Laban pursued Jacob and God gave him a warning.  God intercedes for us all the time.  God protects us and provides for us, even if we do not see or recognize it.

Can you look back on your life and see where God has provided?  Can you see where He has protected?  Do you see where God has interceded for your benefit?  Sometimes it doesn’t look like it.  Sometimes it might appear that we have been abandoned.  But if you look close enough and deep enough you will see God’s involvement in your life.

How many times have anyone of us prayed for something and felt that the prayer was not answered, or it was answered with a no?  God didn’t give us what we wanted.  God has left us.  God has…  If you really take a look at the events in your life you will probably see where God said no to one thing only to give you something better.  God might have said no only to protect you. 

We may never fully see God’s hand at work in our lives.  You can be assured that He is at work.  He has been with you in the past.  He is with you today.  He will be with you in the future.  If God says no to something now you just need to wait.  God has something better in store for you.  God will protect and provide.  He is with each one of us.  He is there working in our lives even if we cannot see it or feel it…

Despite US

Scripture:

Genesis 29:18-25 (ESV)

Jacob loved Rachel. And he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”  Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.”  So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.

Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.”  So, Laban gathered together all the people of the place and made a feast.  But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and he went in to her.  (Laban gave his female servant Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her servant.)  And in the morning, behold, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?”

Devotional:

Oh, how the deceiver became the deceived.  Jacob deceived his father Isaac and received the blessing meant for Esau.  Jacob left his parents to live with an uncle because of Esau’s anger at losing his blessing from his father.  Eventually Jacob does accept God as his God and not just his father’s God.  Genesis 28:20-21 (ESV) “Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God…” 

How many of God’s chosen people have shady backgrounds?  Abraham who is known for great faith lied and deceived two different rulers.  He still was faithful to God.  David, a man after God’s own heart, committed adultery and murder.  Both were used by God and were great men of faith.  Both followed God and sought out His will.  I can give other examples, but the point is that none of the people God used were perfect. 

What is it that we might have said or done?  Each of us have sin in our lives.  Each of us have had weak moments.  But we can all be used by God in tremendous ways.  It doesn’t matter what our background is or where we came from.  What matters is our faith.  Through our faith the condition of our heart will change.  Through faith the Holy Spirit will change our hearts and our lives.  Through faith God will use us. 

Do not think I cannot do this, or I am not smart enough or strong enough.  God has shown us time after time that He can use anyone.  Look at Gideon.  He was the least of the least and yet he became a great profit of God.  Look at David, a small shepherd boy who became one of the greatest kings.  Noah built an ark.  Moses led God’s people to freedom.  The list goes on and on…  If God can use them and change the world, I believe He can use us.  I firmly believe that God does not call the qualified.  But that God qualifies those He calls. 

What is God calling you to do?  Pause and listen, wait, and hear Him.  He will make His will known to you.  If in doubt read the scriptures and ask fellow believers.  One thing you can be sure of no matter what it is God calls you to do it will not go against His character.  If what you think He is calling you to does not match up with what the Bible says you can be sure He isn’t calling you to it.   You can also be sure that God will equip you and be with you the entire time.  You can do whatever it is through Him.  After all He gave us the Holy Spirit.  Acts 2:4 (ESV) “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”