When Jacob arrived in Haran, where his uncle Laban lived, he met Rachel, his uncle's daughter, at the well. Jacob fell in love at first sight. So after meeting his uncle, he asked him if he could marry Rachel, and Laban told him to serve him for seven years, and he would give Rachel as his wife. After seven years had passed, Jacob asked Laban to give him her daughter, so Laban put together a wedding celebration, but at night, Laban deceivingly sent Leah, Rachel's older sister, in Jacob's tent instead of Rachel. Jacob didn't realize that it was Leah until the following morning. It was customary that the woman would put face covering before consummation, so this could be one of the reasons Jacob didn't recognize Leah (Genesis 29:1-30).
The next day, Jacob was angry at Laban for deceiving him. Laban explained to Jacob that it was their custom that the older must marry first before the younger, so Laban told Jacob to serve him another seven years for Rachel. Since Jacob was determined to marry Rachel, he served Laban for another seven years. Jacob eventually married Rachel. This was the first time that Jacob experienced being deceived. Before God would fulfill His promise to Abraham through Jacob, He would work on Jacob's heart. God allowed Jacob to be deceived so that he could experience the consequences of deception.
Just as the Lord was working on Jacob's heart, God is also working in our hearts. Philippians 1:6 says, "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." God is the only one who can change our hearts. Psychologists, medical professionals, institutions, governments tried to change people's hearts, but they couldn't. Many hardened criminals in prison changed when they genuinely become believers in Jesus Christ. They changed because of God's work in their lives. In the same manner, God is changing our hearts day by day. As we yield our lives to Him and continue to spend time with Him in our prayers and daily devotion, God renews our minds and changes our hearts. It is through our relationship with our LORD that we are changed.
Ask yourself these questions: Who can change my heart? What is God's mission in my life? What should I do for God to change my heart?
Write down all the worries that you are facing today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in heaven, thank you that you are the one who is changing my heart and making me the person that you want me to be. Please help me yield my life to you and spend time with you in prayer and daily devotion that you may continue to renew my mind and change my heart. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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