Title: The Power of Tough
The Power of Tough
Text/ Genesis 25:19-49:33
1. Introduction
Over the past few weeks, we have learned that the primordial energy of life that God has given to each of us is like the water of a huge reservoir - raw stone - raw wood - 鎔巖 (lava) - we need to refine and manage it to be useful in reality. can I mentioned that this vital energy must first be revealed as the power of vision, the power of the threefold cord, and the power of a professional. Today, I would like to share grace while meditating on the need to be revealed as The Power of Tough.
2. Jacob Who Lived by The Power of Tough
The dictionary meaning of the word forcible is to be strong and persistent, and to be focused, immersed, honest, and tenaciously and persistently, regardless of any difficulties, tribulations, obstacles, temperament or attitude that do not give in to difficulties, or work that is difficult with strength. It means attitude.
I think Jacob is the person in the Bible who clearly shows our theme today, “The life energy must be revealed by the force of force. The story of Jacob in Genesis consists of three parts. (1) Leaving his father Isaac’s house and living in Paddan Aram’s maternal uncle Laban’s house for 20 years (Genesis 25:19-31:55), (2) Leaving Paddan Aram and living a nomadic life in Canaan (Genesis 32:1-46:34) ), (3) life in the land of Goshen, Egypt, until he left Canaan at the age of 130 and returned to his ancestors at the age of 147 (Genesis 47:1-49:33).
A glimpse of Jacob's life, he escaped Esau's sword and escaped through the wilderness to Paddan Aram (Genesis 27:41) - He worked in Paddan Aram for 20 years, suffering from the heat during the day and the cold at night, without any time to open the snow. (Genesis 31:40-41)-Wrestling with the angel of God so that the hip bone was fractured along the Jabbok River (Genesis 32:24-31)-Daughter Dinah was insulted (Genesis 34:1-2)-The eldest son Reuben was the mother and adultery (Genesis 35:22) - The death of his beloved wife Rachel (Genesis 35:6-18) - The sorrow of losing his son Joseph (Genesis 37:34) - Suffering of hunger (Genesis 43:1-14) - Growing old He lived in exile in Egypt for 17 years, and died in a foreign land (Gen.
When Jacob met Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, he said, “The years of my sojourn are one hundred and thirty years. My years are young, and I am not short of the time of the sojourners of our fathers, but I have lived through difficult times” (Genesis 47:9). He summed up his life. Jacob's life clearly shows what it means to live with the Power of Tough.
Jacob went through all sorts of terrible tribulation physically, mentally, and spiritually, and lived his life with great force (not just living, but living!) without giving in to desperation, self-hatred, self-pity, or self-deprecation. Thus, they became the ancestors of the 12 tribes of Israel.
3. What is living with The Power of Tough?
first. To live by force means “Be fruitful and multiply!” It is to live by unconditionally believing the word of God and obeying it unconditionally.
When we hear the words, “Be fruitful and multiply,” we say, “Who in this world would not like to be fruitful and multiply? Take a look at my situation now, is it my condition to be fruitful and prosperous?” do. But let's look back at the history of mankind for a moment. Humankind has grown and prospered as a primitive society-tribal society-state society-free democratic society, and as a hunter-gatherer society-agricultural society-feudal society-industrial society-technological science society-knowledge-information society Korea's national income grew at $100 in 1960, $300 in 1970, $1,000 in 1980, $5,000 in 1990, $20,000 in 2002, and $18,000 in 2008 (due to the foreign exchange crisis - economic slowdown). has prospered. The world's population has also grown to 6.5 billion. What does it mean? As God said, this world is still fruitful and prosperous!
second. Living by force means self-pity (considering oneself pitiful and pitiful) - self-hatred (contemplating and hating oneself dirty) - self-abandonment (considering oneself incompetent) It is to overcome the feelings of self-humbling (considering one's self as worthless garbage) and live.
When Jacob was lying on a stone pillow in the wilderness, when he worked hard for 20 years without bragging, when he did not have enough money to build a foundation, when Rachel, whom he loved so much, died, when Reuben had sex with Bilhah, when his daughter Dinah When he was humiliated, when he suffered from hunger, when he died in a foreign land... How did Jacob feel?
To put it in a popular way, we should live like “virgin boatman, be strong, Geumsoon-ah, Sano ramen, evergreen trees, morning dew, a man who jumps into the waves when he misses love (matroos), our mother to whom all the disobedient people in the world have to cry”
third. To live by force means “Happiness is not natural!” It is living with the fact that it is 刻骨銘心. In all fields of this world (Politics-Academic-Economics-Science-Music-Art-Film-Literature-Sports-Dance-Ministry-Love-Money-Friendship...) Think of those who have found joy-happiness. Has anyone among them gone through the tunnel of blood, sweat, tears, pain, pain, despair, conflict, fear, anxiety, and darkness? Not a single one! And there will be none! There will be forever until the end of this world! Why? Because happiness is not natural. Happiness does not come naturally. Happiness is only food.
Whether large or small, if you want to have a beautiful garden with all kinds of flowers, bend over and dig. There is nothing in this world that you can just get what you want. Anything of value we want can only be obtained through hard work. Whatever you seek, think of the principle hidden therein. Anyone who wants a bountiful harvest and fragrant roses must constantly bend down to dig (Edgar Guest)