No ShortCuts!

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

Today's Passage: Genesis 27-28 (E-100 Reading)
Memory Verse(s): Gen. 28:13-15

Funny how it's extremely hard to receive assistance from the government if you're actually making an effort to work, but are struggling to pay your bills.  On the other hand, if you want instantaneous results -- help with buying groceries, housing for less than $20 a month, and medical care, you can have it.  All you need to do is bend the truth a little.  No big deal.  The system seems designed to favor those who know how to find loopholes around it, while hardworking people just sink deeper into an abyss of despair with no relief in sight.

Jacob, our man in today's passage, would have been one who knew how to work the system in order to get just what he wanted.  He probably would've tried every trick in the book: identity theft,  claiming other people's kids as his dependents, faking disability-- you name it, old Jake would've no doubt done it.  And guess who skillfully taught him everything he knew?   You got it: Mommy dearest.  Rebecca is the one who overheard Isaac tell Esau he was getting ready to bless him as the firstborn.

She told him exactly what to do to successfully deceive his father, and he hastened to accomplish it.  You see, Jacob was determined that he would be first in line no matter who he hurt.  But oh, read on and see the end of the tale before you buy into satan's lie that trickery pays off.  Fast-forward into Jacob's life and discover how miserable he became for trying to take shortcuts: his father-in-law deceived him and made him wait 14 years for the woman he loved.  And then, he had to wait even longer before his favored wife could have children.

It gets even worse. This same spirit of favoritism follows him and causes him to love Joseph more than all his other sons.  As a result, they get rid of him and drive the same sword of trickery into Jacob's heart.  It isn't until he is almost in the grave that his son, Joseph teaches him the powerful lesson of WAITING for your destiny to unfold.  If you belong to God, you don't have to beg or borrow to get your needs met.  And you certainly don't have to cheat or deceive  to walk in the blessing and favor of the Lord.  Just stand in your place, and don't move until you see it manifested.  Otherwise, short cuts really do end up taking longer.

Prayer: Father, thank You for showing me another example of why I should wait on You.  Every promise You've made will come to pass in my lifetime. I rejoice that you favor ALL Your children the same, so I don't need shortcuts.  In Jesus Name,  Amen.