Genesis 48:15b
“The God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day.”
Jacob is in the twilight of his years. He has been through great turmoil. He had a father who favored his brother, Esau. Jacob spent his youth inside his house (Gen 25:27). While Esau was the athlete. He made all the club teams and was the talk of the dads when the met. He was coaxed into obtaining the blessing by deception by his mother’s influence. Because of this, he had to leave home for fear of his life. He ended up with uncle Laban for atleast 14 years and got married and started a family. Laban was not a fair boss. He had to flee that setting. He probably has much self doubt at this point. “Am I the problem in these relationships?” As he leaves this setting, his sons slaughter a villiage to bring justice for their sister’s rape. Jacob fears that his family will be killed. He loses Joseph as a young man. He must leave the “Promised Land”, due to the famine. This is a life of damaged relationships, which involved being run out of town on several occassions. Yet, in spite of the difficulties, Jacob felt that God had led him through all these circumstances. It wasn’t a charmed life. However, while circumstances may be difficult without, God’s peace can reside within. Ps. 16:11 says that “in Your presence is fullness of Joy…”. This is from David who had a rough life, also. As we walk with Christ, we have the confidence that He is with us and the knowledge that He will work all things out for the good. It’s more than the knowledge that He is with us, it’s His actual presence. Just as the life and house of Obed-Edom was blessed because the Ark of God resided there (2 Sam 6:11), so also the one who walks with and submits to God is blessed. Corrie Ten Boom was a holocost survivor. The Nazis killed her family. She had plenty of reasons to be bitter. She traveled abroad speaking of the faithfulness of God. Not because she survived. God was faithful to plenty that died there. It was God’s guidance and presence in the darkest of places. Lord, help us to submit to your will in our lives. Help us to trust and rest in You.