Title September/Special/Dawn/Prayer (5)
Contents Dawn wrestling that changed my life⑤ 09.9.11.Fri
Jacob's Success Factors (Genesis 31:38-42)
1. Jacob was a loyal man who fulfilled his responsibilities in his work.
During the 20 years of working at Laban's house, I did my best to carry out the work I was assigned to do. Jacob loved and valued his work. It is also significant that Jacob worked so hard that he did not have time to close his eyes, despite the heat during the day and the cold at night. But more important than that was the love of work.
In verse 38, we see that in the 20 years that Jacob cared for the sheep and goats, numerous ewes and female goats had not conceived or aborted their young. Of course, it is a blessing from God, but Jacob worked so faithfully. One sheep, one goat, especially sheep and goats with young children were cared for and raised with care. The reason Jacob worked happily for seven years was because of his love for Rachel, but the reason he did his best after getting Rachel was because he loved and valued his work.
◇Even if the work I do is not great, if I value it and love it, God's blessing will surely follow.
In Matthew 25, the Lord says that if you are faithful in small things, He will entrust you with big things. No matter what we do, we want you to love our work and our work. So, when Jacob is in Laban's house, just as the house was raised by God's blessing, we pray that the company and the nation will rise because of us.
2. Jacob became an honest man.
In verses 38 and 39, Jacob lived in Laban's house for 20 years and did not eat a single lamb of that house. And everything that was stolen and torn by beasts was honestly compensated for.
Before, I lied and deceived my brother and father, but after meeting God in Bethel, I became a new person. So he did not sell Laban's lambs privately, eat them, or deceive Laban. So God blessed Jacob.
◇It is a fallen world where honest people are ridiculed, and good lies are considered the secret to success. But the day will come when the wicked will surely fall. Even if all the people of this world live dishonestly, only the people of Jesus must walk honestly before God like Jacob, Joseph, and Jesus.
At that time, God promised to honor the families of the upright and grant blessings without sparing anything good.
Psalm 84:11 “For the LORD gives grace and glory; he will not spare any good from the upright.”
3. Jacob did not deal with people, but with God.
How upset would Jacob have been if he thought only of Laban, the owner of his workplace? He is the master who translated and deceived the king ten times. Thinking of the greedy bad owner who deceives the staff for his own self-interest, he doesn't want to work and wants to leave the house, but Jacob looked to God.
Genesis 31:42 If the God of my father, the God of Abraham, the fear of Isaac, had not been with me, now would my uncle have sent me back by air, but God saw my affliction and the toil of my hands...
This means ‘I have been dealing with God for 20 years.’ If you live with God, you will never be shaken by people.
◇I hope that you and I will look to God. No matter how difficult or difficult it may be, no matter how unjust words you hear, I hope you will be able to look to God. God gives you the strength to overcome. Even if I do business, I deal with God, even if I work hard at the company, I work before God, and even if I do pastoral work, I am bold when I do it before God.
“As the Father sent me into the world, so I also sent them into the world” (John 17:18).
In fact, our workplace is more than just a workplace. Our home is more than a home. God sent me there. He sent me to save my family and to show the fragrance of Jesus. That's right. We work for a mission, not for money.
All of the work you are doing is holy work and has to do with the glory of God. If you love the job, work hard with loyalty and honesty, and rely only on God, God will surely bless you.
In the end, I will be glorified, and because of us, the community, the company, and the country will prosper, and I believe that God will be glorified forever because of us.