Prayer Journal
Wednesday, July 2, 2003
"I'll work for you for seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel." Genesis 29:18
Scripture says Rachel's older sister Leah had weak, or delicate eyes and as the older sister should have been married first. But, Jacob was in love with Rachel, not Leah. He was willing to be a servant in the house of Rachel's father for seven years in order to earn the right to break that tradition. It also provided what he thought was ample time for another man to step up and take Leah's hand in matrimony.
They say time flies faster the older you get. It was true in Jacob's case; he was deeply in love and before he knew it those seven years were done. Now it was time to begin the rest of his life enjoying life. However, Leah still had no husband.
Today, we have exactly the same number of days left in 2003 that we have expended thus far. Halfway through - It seems like we just celebrated New Year's Day and now we're preparing to celebrate Independence Day, July 4th. But, our labor doesn't stop today. God willing, we will finish 183 more days and celebrate another New Year together once again.
Jacob's desire for Rachel was so deep, I'm sure he thought seven years working and waiting was a bargain well worth the price. It's also said that true love is blind. That would be tested in Jacob's life for he would take the older sister first, even though Jacob did not care for her. Then, he would serve Rachel's dad Laban another seven years to pay for what he thought he earned in seven.
Having a goal can be a contraction in terms. Jacob proved that point. His goal was to be with Rachel, something that drove him for seven years. But when he thought he had reached that goal, Laban moved the finish line on him and the price became higher than he had originally bargained. So Jacob set another goal seven years down the road. Little did he know that he would set many more goals after those seven years were done.
What has your life produced in the way of success so far this year? You may have set a New Year's resolution or simply determined to finish an existing project this year. Are you still working on it? Does your goal seem further away the closer you get to it?
If that problem defines your situation, let me encourage you today with a simple truth that might help you complete your mission. Success or failure is not found at the finish line, but rather with each step taken in the race to reach it.
Take one step today and thank God for the privilege of doing so. Then let God take care of setting the finish line and picking the trophy. Life will get much more enjoyable.
Just Thinkin'... WebServant
Scripture comes
from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New
York International Bible Society
Copyright © 1998-2003
James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries - All Rights Reserved
I'll pray today for...
* My spouse
* My children
* Their friends
* My friends
* My employer
* My city
* My country
* Civic leaders
* Schools
* Teachers
* The sick
* The lost
* Those in despair
* The hospitalized
* The grieving
* Widows
* Orphans
* My church
* My pastor
* Church leaders
* Other churches
* Persecuted church
* Missionaries
* Myself
