The story of Jacob is one that really fascinates me. Before his birth, his mother had received a word from God about how great he would be (Genesis 25:22-23). So, this had already given her a preference among her children. At this point, she felt that she knew the plan of God and was ready to do whatever it takes to make it come to pass.
So she shows him obviously more love than his brother, and most of all had to lead him to cheat his brother, and proceeded to sending him away for his safety and lying to his father.
Imagine how much Rebekah had to do for Jacob, most of it uncalled for. But she wanted to bring the prophecy to pass. Looking at this, she was only trying to bring to pass that which God had previously said. But she never bothered to inquire how God intended to do all of that. She never even lived to witness Jacob’s return and prosperity, after all her struggles. She died before he arrived. Whereas, Isaac who was thought to die earlier was alive till Jacob’s return. And he witnessed the blessings of God upon Jacob.
Another actor was Laban. On arrival of Jacob at Laban’s, Jacob worked for him, but he was always being cheated, for Laban observed that the Lord was blessing him for the sake of Jacob (Genesis 30:27). And at this point, this was someone whom he trusted to help him. But Laban kept on cheating him, changing his wages, deceiving him for work and marriage, and a whole lot. In the end, every single one of these things helped build Jacob.
God can use anyone to achieve His purposes.
In our lives, we have people who are ready to go to lengths just to help us achieve several things in our lives, some people can even do things that we do not expect for us, just as Rebekah was to Jacob.
There are also some who are bent on harnessing what is in us for their selfish desires, just as Laban was to Jacob. But, in everything, God ensures that His Will comes to pass through all of these channels. Even when people feel they can do something to help you or some think they can do something to stop it.
In everything, God works out everything to achieve His Plan. And it’s funny how God uses what we see as good, and many times bad, to achieve His purposes (Romans 8:28). No man is capable of bringing God’s Will to pass on His own, except with the help of God. And no man can hinder God’s Will. He’ll end up being one of the tools God uses to bring it to pass.
So, when we go through some situations or meet people who seem to want to defeat the purposes of God. Just remember, that they cannot, they’ll end up helping to achieve God’s Will. They have now become instruments to help God achieve His Will.
So, we must understand that God is never out of ideas, He is never stranded, He knows all things before they happen. And He is capable of changing the most unlikely situation and turning things around for the better. He has done it before, and He still does it.
Stand still and know that He is God.
