I got myself into this mess, so I’d better get myself out, I sometimes find myself thinking. Although I believe in a God of grace, I still act as if He only looks out for me when I deserve it.

God’s first talk with Jacob is a great example of how untrue this is. Jacob had spent a lifetime trying to sort things out for himself. He’d been born second at a time when the oldest sons got a blessing from their dad—which was something they thought would lead to a good life.

So Jacob decided to do whatever it took to get that blessing for himself. He managed to trick his dad into blessing him, rather than his older brother (GEN. 27:19-29). But it led to his family breaking up into fights and arguments. Jacob had to run away from his angry brother (VV.41-43). That night Jacob must have felt as far from a life of blessing as ever (28:11).

But it was there, leaving behind a broken, angry family, that Jacob met God. God showed him he didn’t need to lie and steal to be blessed; he already was. His life—which would have more meaning than he could ever imagine (V.14)—was held securely by the God who’d never leave him (V.15).

It was a lesson Jacob would spend his whole life learning. And so will we. No matter how many mistakes we make or how distant God seems, He is still there—guiding us out of our mess and into His plan.

By: Monica La Rose

To Pray About . . .

Father, so often we feel trapped by stuff we’ve got wrong, thinking there’s no future left for us. Remind us that You are the God of Jacob—the God who will never give up on Your plan for us.