"God “will repay each person according to what they have done" - Romans 2:6 (NIV).
Have you ever been done badly in life? Maybe by someone close, though not necessarily so. While this should not be a consolation, the fact is, lots of people have been done poorly. How they responded is often the key to their success. More important, there is a God who sees any injustice meted out on His people and has the final key.
Jacob was one person who was done poorly in life. After his mother Rebekah sent him back home as his brother Esau had swore to kill him for cheating on him and taking his blessings as a first born (Genesis 27:41- 20) there he met and fell in love with Rachael. After he made his intentions clear what would have been an instant approval as once happened for his mother, Jacob was tasked by his uncle Laban to work for his bride for seven years. "So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her" (Genesis 29:20).
But do you know, after he had fulfilled his bargain and anxiously waited, Laban, all of a sudden changed goal posts. Tasked, Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. Finish this daughter’s bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work" (vv 26-27).
Even when he carried through still Laban was hesitant, prompting him to leave without notice. Laban pursued him. When he caught up with him, Jacob finally vented, "I have been with you for twenty years now...But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you" (Genesis 31: 38-42)!
For all his mistreatment God had blessed Jacob with a large family and was rich with livestock. But what is your situation! It might not be exactly similar, but if there is someone who was done you badly, keep the faith, God will redeem you.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, where I am done poorly, may I look to you, for you are a just God who redeems His own, this I pray in Jesus's name.
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29/04/2024 - 30/04/2024 All day“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27)
One of the most moving Christian song ever written is, “Its well with my soul!” To hear it sung in cathedrals, concerts or at funerals, always leaves many with goose bumps. It has uplifted many through the most difficult of moments, soothing their weary spirit.
It’s coming into being in many ways show how God so often uses difficult situations to bless so many. In 1871 Horatio Spafford, was one of the wealthiest lawyers, based in Chicago. He was also a devout Christian, along with his wife Ann, and their four daughters. But early in 1871 came the Great Fire of Chicago that destroyed Spafford’s sizable investment.
Devastated from the loss, Spafford, seeking to recover, two years later, decided to go for a holiday in Europe. But at the last minute he was detained by business, letting Ann and his four daughters to proceed, hoping to join them. No sooner had they left when the ship in which they were had an accident and sank within minutes. All the four children drowned, though Anna survived.
Spafford on receiving the news decided to go and pick up Ann. As he got to the spot where the ship had sunk, in his despair came the words that have brought respite to so many, through generations. “When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul... Let this blest assurance control That Christ (yes, He has) has regarded my helpless estate, And has shed His own blood for my soul. It is well...With my soul..
It is well, it is well with my soul.”It is said as Ann saw her daughters going down, she said, “God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand.” And, indeed, “It is well with my soul” was God’s gift to all of mankind through a tragedy.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of heaven, sometimes through tragedies, it is difficult to understand or appreciate the moment; but as the song goes, whatever the difficulty may be, “Its well with my soul” for you are with me, no matter! This I pray in Jesus’ name!
