Jacob ended up marrying his uncle's two daughters: Leah and Rachel. There was jealousy and strife between Leah and Rachel because Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah. However, Leah was able to bear four sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, while Rachel couldn't bear children because her womb was closed. As a result, Rachel asked Jacob to sleep with her servant, Bilha, to have children through her. Bilha then bore Dan and Naphtali. Since Leah stopped bearing children, she asked Jacob to sleep with her servant, Zilpah, to have more children. Zilpah bore Gad and Asher. Later on, Leah conceived three more children: Issachar, Zebulun, and a daughter, Dinah. After many years of waiting, Rachel bore her own son, for the LORD opened her womb. She called him Joseph. Several years after that, Rachel bore her last son, Benjamin. She had severe labor that she died right after her son was born.
With all of these family feuds in Jacob's house, God was at work in Jacob's life. Through his twelve sons, the nation of Israel would eventually be formed. Although Jacob had not surrendered his life entirely to God, God was working behind the scene in His life. God continued to work in his heart and kept blessing him because in due time, once Jacob surrendered his life to God, God's promise to Abraham would be fulfilled through him. It is amazing to see how God is gracious and patient with Jacob. God never gave up on Jacob. In the same manner, God would never give up on us despite our weaknesses and sins. God is faithful to work in our hearts and makes us the person He wants us to be.
Sometimes we get frustrated with ourselves because of our weaknesses. We want to do the right thing, but we keep on doing the wrong thing. We want to please God, but we are struggling with our walk with Him. The good news is that our God is faithful in our lives. He is always working behind the scenes in working in our hearts. So let us continue to trust in the Lord and keep on asking Him to change our hearts and helps us to obey Him.
Ask yourself these questions: What do I think about God's faithfulness in my life? How should I live my life knowing that God is faithful in working in my life?
Write down all the worries that you are facing today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, I am so thankful that you will never give up on me and that you are always at work in my life, even when I don't feel that you are at work in my life. Regardless of how I feel or think, you will always remain faithful. Please help me listen and obey you because that is the only way to experience your peace and joy in my life. In your name Jesus, I pray. Amen.