“The Lord said to Jacob, ‘Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.’ ”
— Genesis 31:3
The Bible tells the story of a man named Jacob, the grandson of Abraham. He followed God as his guide, but many times God’s intentions must have seemed like a mystery to him.
He married the woman of his dreams, Rachel, but only after his father-in-law, Laban, tricked him into marrying her older sister, Leah, first. Laban, whom Jacob worked for, was always trying to cheat him, and Laban’s sons spread rumors that Jacob used their dad to become wealthy.
Jacob could have decided God didn’t like him anymore and tried to go it on his own, but he continued to follow God’s guidance. God finally said, “I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land.” Then God went to Laban in a dream and told him to “be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad” (Genesis 31:24).
This story makes clear an important truth for all of us: Listen to God and do what he says, even if it’s scary. God will take care of the details you have no control over. It’s sort of a relief, isn’t it?
More to Explore: Proverbs 3:5 – 6
Girl Talk: God never said that following him would be easy. Have you ever had to do anything difficult because of your faith in Jesus?
God Talk: “Jesus, thank you that you hold me safely in your hands, even when life is tough. Help me to always listen for your voice. Amen.”
From That Is So Me by Nancy Rue