Jacob's job while he was working for his uncle, Laban, was taking care of the sheep. Jacob also had sheep but not as much as Laban's, but through his trickery, he increased his flocks more than Laban's. They agreed that all the speckled and spotted sheep would belong to Jacob, and all the sheep that had solid color, like white or black, would belong to Laban. Jacob knew how to create an environment that would encourage his flock to mate; thus, he had many young spotted and speckled sheep and lambs. However, Jacob didn't do this to Laban's flock; consequently, Jacob's flock was increasing, but Laban's flock was not growing.
The reason Jacob wasn't loyal to Laban was that Laban was mistreating Jacob. Here's what Jacob said to his wife, Rachel, "And you know I have served your father with all my strength. Yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times; however, God did not allow him to hurt me." (Genesis 31:6). Laban was using Jacob as his worked force and taking advantage of him. Eventually, God told him to return to the land of his fathers and his relatives in Canaan, and He would be with him (Genesis 31:3). Jacob knew that Laban would not allow him to go, so he ended up secretly leaving with his family and all his belongings, including his flocks. When Laban found out that Jacob left secretly, he pursued him, but God spoke to Laban in a dream that do not harm Jacob but let him be.
God was using Jacob's situation with his uncle, Laban, to humble him. Little by little, God was peeling off Jacob's pride and self-reliance. There are times in our lives that God uses our situations to humble us so that we can learn to honor God and submit our lives to Him. For God to guide us in the right direction, we need to submit to Him, and the only way we submit to him is to humble ourselves and rely on Him completely in every situation. When we try to control our lives and not rely completely on God, we do not allow God to work in our hearts and guide us in the right direction. God loves us so much that He wants to bless and guide us in the right direction.
Ask yourself these questions: Why does God want me to humble myself and rely on Him completely? Am I willing to surrender my life and completely rely on Him? If I am not sure yet, what are the things that are stopping me from surrendering my life and completely relying on Him?
Write down all the worries that you are facing today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in heaven, please forgive me if I have not been surrendering my life and completely trusting you. Please help me to give up my pride and self-reliance. Please continue to change my heart and please guide me to the right path, for you know what is best for me. Thank you for loving me. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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