January 13

From: Daily Sacrifice

Genesis 28:15

IN the life of Jacob we see exemplified a saint under the discipline of God, a man of conflicting emotions and often, unhappily, of mixed motives, He was, nevertheless, thought all the years of his maturity, one who valued the things of God and appreciated the covenanted blessings promised to Abraham and his seed. Named a “supplanter,” or “heel-catcher,” which is the literal meaning of “Jacob,” because of what took place at his birth (Gen. 25:25, 25²⁵And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. (Genesis 25:25)
²⁵And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. (Genesis 25:25); Hos. 12:3³He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God: (Hosea 12:3)), he manifested the same traits of crafty self-interest in many things, and yet we see him a chastened man to the last, to whom the things of God were very real and precious. The truth of the two natures in the believer is evidenced in his experiences in a very definite manner: the old Jacob nature in conflict with the Israel nature, so that at times we see the former dominating his ways and at other times the new life is graciously manifested.

“O child of God, wait patiently

When dark thy path may be,

And let thy faith lean trustingly

On Him who cares for thee;

And though the clouds hang drearily

Upon the brow of night,

Yet in the morning joy will come

And fill thy soul with light.

O child of God, He loveth thee

And thou art all His own;

With gentle hand He leadeth thee,

Thou dost not walk alone:

And though thou watchest wearily

The long and stormy night,

Yet in the morning joy will come,

And fill thy soul with light.”

—Fanny J. Crosby.