The older I become, the more I realize that life is a journey and trials refine us no matter where we are. The Bible tells us that God plans out each day of our fantastic adventure on this earth. Yes, the God of the universe, who is all-knowing and powerful, has plans for each of us that are fulfilling and meaningful.
Psalm 139:16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.[1] Each day we spend on this earth is another day the Lord refines us to be the person He wants us to be. Isaiah 64:8 And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand. [2]
Jacob’s Journey
Jacob was Isaac’s second son, Abraham’s grandson, and Esau’s twin brother. Jacob was also the son of the promise through whom the line of the Savior would come. His life would have many twists and turns as the Lord would use his good and bad choices to transform him. The Lord Jesus is a good carpenter and can use our failures to refine us. Our failures may not be His will, but God has a way of using them positively. Throughout Jacob’s life, he received God’s reassurance even during the lowest parts of his life.
Genesis 28:13 At the top of the stairway stood the Lord, and he said, “I am the Lord, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants. 14 Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will spread out in all directions—to the west and the east, to the north and the south. And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants. 15 What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go.[3]
Your Journey
What has the Lord taught you on your journey? What would you do differently? We can be thankful the Lord is filled with patience, understanding, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. When we fail, we receive forgiveness because Jesus died for our sins on the cross.
The most impressive part of our journey is turning from our sins and turning to God, which is repentance. No matter what we accomplish, it is meaningless if we don’t place our faith in Jesus.
Someday, we all will pass into eternity, but our journey continues in heaven when we have faith in Jesus. Wow, that is a fantastic place, and Jesus, angels, and people of faith will be there. Stay the course the Lord has for you, and continue to look to Him for guidance, encouragement, and forgiveness.
To hear how life is a journey, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/joseph-forgives-his-brothers
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.