“I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” Isa. 57:15.
Why did God look so favourably upon Jacob, a deceiver? We read in Isaiah: This passage describes a man who, like Jacob, is dejected, on the run, and God is reviving him, blessing him, honouring him. Isaiah adds: “But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word” Isa. 66:2. We know that humans consider the outward appearance, but God always looks at the heart. We can see only Jacob’s covetousness, greed and manipulation. But God saw beyond his flesh and into something within his heart — a contrite, broken spirit. God knew that something in Jacob’s heart was willing to be changed. This is not a justification to do evil, while claiming your heart is right.
That is exactly what God is looking for in us. He looks for a broken, repentant heart that He can work on. He cannot do anything with an Esau type, who takes the things of God for granted and weeps phony tears of repentance. Esau was sensual and his heart was hard. He was like many Christians today, floating through life with no purpose, wanting only to enjoy sensual pleasures along the way. Jacob revered God’s Word. How do I know this? Think about it: Jacob must have heard his father, Isaac, repeatedly tell the story of how God had made a covenant with Jacob’s grandfather, Abraham.
He heard of the time Isaac was laid upon the altar to be slained, but when Abraham lifted the knife, God stopped him and showed him a lamb to be used for the sacrifice. Finally, Jacob also heard of the holy seed that was to come from the patriarchal lineage. In addition to all this, Jacob’s mother probably reminded him of the dream God had given her — that Jacob would be the holy seed. Jacob must have been thrilled at the thought that one day he would be the head of the clan, carrying the torch of the lineage through which the Messiah would come! For me however, what towers the most is his desire to find lasting change from God, which he indeed got. If he did it for Jacob, he can do it for your, if you are hungry enough for change such that your heart remains resolute, resilient and ready for God all the time.
FURTHER READING:
“And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” Gen. 32:28.
“He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:” Hosea. 12:3.
DECLARATION:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your mercies and grace directed to me. I declare, there is an anointing of ease in my life. God is going before me making crooked places straight. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I will not continually struggle. What used to be difficult will not be difficult anymore. God’s favour and blessing is on my life, it’s lightening the load and taking the pressure off me, I walk in the newness of life in Jesus’ name, amen.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Amos. 8:1-14. Amos. 9:1-15. Obadi. 1:1-21. Jonah. 1:1-17.
QUOTE FOR THE DAY:
“If You Are Working On Something That You Really Care About, You Don’t Have To Be Pushed. The Vision Pulls You.”
The Fortress Int’l Church, 2 Floor 10 Coker Road, Opposite Chicken Republic Ilupeju Lagos, Nigeria. http://www.thefortresschurch.com. Email:info@thefortresschurch.com.
