“You, like Jacob, are part of God’s delivery system of hope. You are a courier of his covenant. . . . We are the rough stones; he is the lapidary. . . . Rather than grumble about the people who irritate you, see them for what they are — God’s training tool. He is teaching us to trust him.”- Max Lucado
“God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. The trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children. . . . God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best.”- Hebrews 12:8, 10 (THE MESSAGE)
Max Lucado concludes Chapter 7 of God Never Gives Up on You as he notes that some scholars view Jacob as ahead of his time when he peeled bark from the branches (Genesis 30:37-39). As a result, the process probably exposed some nutrient in the branches. A nutrient that made its way into the drinking water. Hence changing the coats of the young the sheep and goats bore.
Consequently, Pastor Lucado counsels:
“At some point someone somewhere is going to boil your blood. . . . Even those close to you will let an insult fly now and again. The temptation is to retaliate, to use your head in a lsee-than-rational way. Don’t give in. Don’t fight Laban on Laban’s terms. Respond to Laban with faith in God. . . .
Is God using your Laban to shape you? You’d prefer a life with no Labans. Who wouldn’t? But life comes with Labans. If this season has one chasing you around the tank, remember God uses peculiar people to bring out the best in his people.”
In conclusion, Pastor Lucado acknowledges, life’s Labans often make you want to pull your hair out. However, they can also make you desperate for God. Most significantly, an invaluable blessing!
Someday you’ll find that God’s released you from your Laban. In the meantime, talk to God about your Laban. And thank God for your Laban. Above all, while you wait, trust God’s purpose and promise.
Today’s question: How do you minister God’s delivery system of hope? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Inflection points – junctures”
