December 9, 2024

Passage Read: Genesis 29-32
Meditation Verses: 31:38-42

Thought

Jacob agreed to each price that Laban set for him. At first, he offered to work seven years for Laban's daughter Rachel, but Laban cheated him. Jacob endured the deception and accepted Laban's offer of a second seven years in exchange for Rachel. After that, Jacob agreed to continue working for Laban in exchange for the discolored sheep and goats. Then over the course of six years, Laban kept changing the terms of their agreement. Because Jacob trusted God and God took care of him, he endured six years of Laban's cheating. Until this moment, he'd said nothing. All along he knew Laban was cheating him, but he also knew that whatever Laban did against him, God protected him from suffering loss, even turning it into a blessing.

Application

I too can endure when others try to cheat me. I don't have to fear when they take advantage of my faithfulness, because God will reward me. Though others try to cheat me, I can do my best to keep my word and do what is good and right, knowing the Lord will honor me. I don't have to be naïve and deny their deceit, but I need to continue to be faithful to my end of the bargain. At the right time, God will call me out of the situation, but until then, I can remember that I am His servant to do what is good and right in His eyes, rather than take the cheating as an excuse to rebel or break my oath.