Tuesdays with Jacob

Read Genesis 29:4-6 – And Jacob said to them, “My brethren, where are you from?” And they said, “We are from Haran.” Then he said to them, “Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?” And they said, “We know him.” So he said to them, “Is he well?” And they said, “He is well. And look, his daughter Rachel is coming with the sheep.” (NKJV)

Isn’t it amazing how God puts the pieces together for us, even when questionable choices have launched us into unattractive consequences? Here, Jacob’s deceit has forced him from his home, fearing the retribution of his angry older brother. He’s an outcast, and yet God orders his steps and brings him face-to-face with his uncle’s family and the girl he will love deeply. Of course, we can’t count on God to make good things out of every bad action, but God loves us with a covenantal love. A covenant is an agreement of self-sacrifice that essentially guarantees a promise, even if you don’t live up to your part of the deal. It differs from a contract, where one party’s failure voids the responsibility of the other. A covenant continues because it’s built on a sacrificial promise. That’s how God loves us—with a covenant. So, even in those times where I fail, He continues to love me and fulfill His promises to me. That doesn’t offer me license to live in failure, but I can know that my occasional stumbling doesn’t void God’s promise to love me and guide me through life. That’s good news!

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.