GENESIS 48:15 – And he blessed Joseph and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day.
THEME OF THE DAY. ALL THE WAY HOME. Dying words are important words. If we knew that this Friday will be our last day on earth, the time we spend with those dearest to us, and the conversations we shared would not be frivolous, trivial, or “small talk.” The words spoken would be vital, direct, honest, loving, passionate, and focused on the most important issues of life.
In today’s scripture, Jacob is dying. His days are numbered and he knows it. His “favorite” son Joseph and two of his grandchildren are at his side. In the course of their intimate conversations, Jacob tells them, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day.” What he shares, his testimony of God’s faithfulness, is one of the most important truth he will pass on to his family.
When it comes to the end of our lives, the two greatest things we may give our family, friends, churches, places of employment, communities, and neighbors will have been a Christ-centered life and a testimony of God’s faithfulness. The whole of our lives are to be lived to these two ends. Our eternal impact on the people God has placed in our lives will be determined by how much Christ occupied and directed our lives and how mindful we were to recognize the faithfulness of God throughout our lives.
As Jacob sees his journey on earth coming to an end, he encourages his family by reminding them that God has been there for him through thick and thin. And remember Jacob’s life. It was a lot of thick and thin. Read the book of Genesis soon and follow this man. His life was a winding road of sin, deceit, trickery, failure, and a whole lot of other human ugliness. But even though Jacob wasn’t always faithful to the God of his fathers, the God of His fathers never wavered in His faithfulness to His child. And He will do the same for us.
There are times, many times, in life when our trials seem eternal; our challenges overwhelm us like a flash flood; our circumstances weigh us down like a two-ton anchor; and tough times in our relationships emotionally drain us. As these seasons come, pause, and remember the faithfulness of God in the past. Just like Jacob. Look back and see how time after time, the Lord proved Himself a faithful Shepherd, our source of strength, and a very present help in time of trouble. Yes, life is full of difficulties, and Jacob is a great case study, but learn to focus more on our God who is faithful. It will help in all those trying times to build on the right legacy to leave behind when we die . . . a Christ-centered life testifying to the faithfulness of our God.
PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for Your faithfulness that is true in all my life, throughout my life.”
QUOTE: “God’s faithfulness is the anchor of our souls; the rock on which we stand; and the hope we cling to”