Daily Devotional Podcasts

26_Following God’s guidance Gen 31:1-3 Now Jacob heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, “Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s, and from what belonged to our father he has made all this wealth.” 2 And Jacob saw the attitude of Laban, and behold, it was not friendly toward him as it had been before. 3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.” In a small coastal town, there was a lighthouse keeper whose responsibility it was to keep the light shining. This light was essential to guide sailors safely to shore. One stormy night, an exhausted sailor fought to keep his boat off the rocks. He knew he was somewhere near the harbour. But he could see nothing in the wind and darkness. In desperation, he prayed for help. What was his joy when he saw a steady beam of light piercing the torrential rain and thick darkness ahead of him! Now he knew where he was and what he had to do. With newfound hope, he followed the golden glow of the lighthouse lamp and reached the harbor safely. Like that lighthouse, the people of God are chosen to be the light of the world. We are called to reflect the light of God's holiness into the turbulent world around. Genesis 30 continues the story of Jacob, a man like us. Despite trials and uncertainties, he heeded God’s call and experienced His faithfulness. Jacob’s life in Padan-Aram with his uncle Laban was marked by hard labor and constant attempts to cheat him out of his wages. But it was above all marked by divine blessing. It served as a season of discipline and refining. Though he endured the consequences of his deceitful actions, he also experienced God’s grace in abundance. Over two decades, Jacob endured grueling work as he cared for Laban’s flocks. He described it, saying, “By day the heat consumed me, and the frost by night, and my sleep fled from my eyes.” However, these 20 years saw Jacob’s marriage to Leah and Rachel. He fathered eleven children, and accumulated considerable wealth in livestock through the blessing of God. However, this roused the envy of Laban’s sons. They accused Jacob of gaining riches at their father’s expense. The animosity turned Jacob’s thoughts towards leaving Padanaram for his homeland. In this tense and hostile environment, God spoke again. God clearly instructed him to return, and reaffirmed that he would be with him. Jacob now knew from experience that God was not the God of Canaan or of Bethel only, but the God of the whole earth. Further confirmation of this direction came from the ready agreement of his wives with his plan, even though it meant leaving the place of their nativity for ever. Jacob prepared to leave, obedient to the command. Following God’s guidance often means making uncomfortable decisions despite our fears. Jacob’s journey was not without challenges. Leaving Padan-Aram required immense courage. He faced fears that resonate with many of us in similar situations. There was the

25_Providing for my own household Gen 30:25-30 As soon as Rachel had borne Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own home and country. 26 Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, that I may go, for you know the service that I have given you.” 27 But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor in your sight, I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you. 28 Name your wages, and I will give it.” 29 Jacob said to him, “You yourself know how I have served you, and how your livestock has fared with me. 30 For you had little before I came, and it has increased abundantly, and the Lord has blessed you wherever I turned. But now when shall I provide for my own household also?” A young family from the south settled in the north where they worked. Soon after their first baby was born, they traveled home to celebrate the holidays. The days were filled with joy, catching up, and togetherness. On the day they left, the entire family gathered at the small railway station to bid them farewell. The train arrived. They parted with hugs and goodbyes and rushed to get on board with all their bags, laden with gifts, delicacies, and fruits. It was only when the whistle blew and the train was about to move that they realized they had forgotten the most important thing: their baby, still at the station with their relatives. This story illustrates how easy it is to forget what matters most. We can become so engrossed in the busyness of life that we overlook the only things that really matter - the things of eternal importance. In Genesis 30:25-30, Jacob asks a question that echoes through the centuries: “But now, when shall I provide for my own household also?” This question is not merely about material provision; it is a call to examine our priorities and refocus on what truly matters. Jacob’s story unfolds far from home, in Padan-Aram, 600 kilometers from his family in Canaan. Fourteen long years had passed since he fled his home after deceiving his brother Esau. During this time, Jacob worked tirelessly for his father-in-law, Laban, to win the hand of both Leah and Rachel. He had first served seven years for Rachel, but Laban deceived him by substituting his elder daughter Leah for Rachel at the time of the wedding. Unwilling to give up Rachel, Jacob agreed to serve another seven years for her. Jacob’s own deception of his father Isaac seemed to echo back to him through Laban’s schemes. It was a poignant reminder of the principle, “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Despite the hardships and the trickery he endured, Jacob remained steadfast. He didn’t discard Leah, though their union was not his choice, nor did he abandon his responsibilities. Instead, he did what was right. Thus, without overt religiosity, his actions demonstrated that he feared God. Indeed, God demonstrated his wisdom, bringing

24_Being known by God Gen 28:10-17 Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11 And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. 12 And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! 13 And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. 14 Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” 16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” Let us look at a passionate gardener who knows every plant in his garden. He has nurtured each one day by day. Every plant has received careful tending and the right balance of sun, water, and soil to bring it into fullest bloom. Now, contrast this with a visitor to the garden. The visitor marvels at the beauty, takes pictures, and perhaps even comments on the fragrance of the flowers. Yet, the interaction is short-lived. It lacks a real understanding of the care, effort, and connection with the plants that resulted in the vibrant garden. The gardener represents a true relationship, attained by invested effort. The visitor represents a passing acquaintance. Are we part of the garden of God, where he is the gardener? Or are we just visitors to his garden? The Lord revealed that he was the true vine into which we were to be grafted and in whom we were to live. His Father was the gardener, tending and pruning us. Rather than shallow familiarity, he wants us to recognize his deep and personal care for us. Knowing about him, and even knowing about his work, is not at all the same thing as knowing him. It’s possible to learn facts about Him, yet miss the wonder of His presence. When God knows and acknowledges us, as Paul says, it transforms our lives. Jacob’s story in Genesis 28:10-17 shows us the first steps in Jacob’s experience of this knowing. Jacob grew up in a wealthy family. He was surrounded by stories of God’s promises to his grandfather