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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 206

"O Lord God of Hosts, Who is mighty like You, O Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You." Psalm 89:8

Text: Genesis 28:1-22

A PERSONAL FAITH IN GOD

Jacob was probably familiar with family stories. Abraham would have sought to pass down his knowledge of God to Isaac. Similarly, Isaac would have sought to share his faith in God to his children. It is always hard for the new generation to believe in God until there is that personal encounter and exercise of faith in Him. Abraham had that privilege! So did Isaac. It was now Jacob’s privilege to have this personal revelation from God. He must seek to exercise personal faith in the Lord!


MORE PROMISES

What wonderful promises God gave to Jacob! Every word from the Lord was precious indeed! There was the promise of the land of Canaan. There was the promise of being greatly blessed! That would have been enough, but there was more!

“Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go…”

If ever there was a promise that would especially gladden the heart, this one would have been the pick! The journey to Haran had just begun! What lay ahead? What kind of problems or trials would he have to face? God knew the unexpressed fears and trepidation in Jacob’s heart.

Gently and graciously, He pre-empted all the fears that sought to fill Jacob’s soul! He would grant to Jacob a special promise! He would be with him personally! His Presence would overshadow him wherever he went!

“And will bring you back to this land…”

It was never in Rebekah’s mind that her son should stay away from home for too long! He had been sent away for fear of the wrath of Esau. The pretext was that he was to seek a wife for himself from Rebekah’s side of the family!

How long would it take to find a good wife? Would she be willing to return home to Canaan? How should Jacob return? Would he dare to return home empty-handed? These and other questions must have suggested themselves to Jacob as he laid himself on the ground to rest!

Once again, God had understood his deepest fears! Yes, this God knew him through and through! He knew that he would love to return to his beloved Canaan! This gracious God promised that He would personally see to it that he returned home safely one day!

“For I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you”

What a commitment God had made to Jacob! The Lord had given so many mighty promises! It would take a lifetime to keep every single promise and more! Imagine God promising that He would be with him until all had been fulfilled! What more could a person ask for? What more could a person desire than that which the Lord had promised! What would be an appropriate response? Surely, it must be genuine faith in God!