JOURNEY INTO GOD’S PURPOSE

3 And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well’s mouth in his place.

4 And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.

5 And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.

6 And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.

7 And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.

8 And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well’s mouth; then we water the sheep.

9 And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep; for she kept them.

10 And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother.

11 And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.

12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s brother, and that he was Rebekah’s son: and she ran and told her father.

13 And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister’s son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.

14 And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.

15 And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?

16 And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.

17 Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.

18 And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.

19 And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.

20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.

21 And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.

22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.

23 And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.

24 And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.

25 And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?

26 And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.

27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.

28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.

29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.

30 And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.

31 And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.

32 And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the Lord hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.

33 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the Lord hath heard I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon.

34 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.

35 And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the Lord: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.

THE MESSAGE:

Jacob was on a journey to get a wife as directed by his father (Genesis 28: 2). High hopes were on this marriage as it was expected to bring about the fulfilment of God’s promises to Abraham (Genesis 28: 2-4). Jacob must not miss It, especially in marriage! Marriage is therefore a journey Into God’s purpose for one’s life. “Jacob went on his Journey… ” (verse 1). For Jacob, it was love at first sight as he met with Rachel. She was a shepherdess, beautiful young lady and God-sent.Lord Could it be a mere coincidence that Rachel appeared when he enquired of her father from the shepherds at the well? Was it not how Rebecca met with Eliezer? (Genesis 24: 15-16).

If these were Jacob’s presumed thoughts, then it is obvious that he didn’t follow the prayer aspect of Eliezer’s journey of getting a wife for Isaac (Genesis 24: 11-27). Jacob invested his all to have Rachel. Could it be that Leah was the will of God for him but he wanted Rachel? He was later to find out thatthe rejected Leah was his fruitful vine (Psa. 128: 3). What path have you taken in your journey to fulfilling God’s purpose for your life? Are you taking the path of self-will or God’s will?

PRAYER: Not my will but Your will, oh Lord!

PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY’S DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
DATE: THURSDAY, AUGUST 08, 2024
TOPIC: JOURNEY INTO GOD’S PURPOSE

1. Father in the name of Jesus, thank You for the grace to see this day in good health and sound mind.
2. Father, thank You for the special gift of life, many wished to see this day, but they couldn’t.
3. Thank You Jesus for being there for us, Your children.
4. Thank You Lord for Your plans for me this month and this year. They are plans of good, not of evil, to give me a successful and good end.
5. Father, please forgive me all my known and unknown sins, and give me power to overcome sin and its lustful desires, in Jesus’ name
6. Father, please give our youth spouses that will help in fulfilling Your purpose for their lives, in Jesus’ name.
7. I pray that our youth will not miss it in marriage, most especially the God fearing ones, in Jesus’ name
8. Holy Spirit, help me to take the path of God’s will in fulfilling God’s purpose for my life, in Jesus’ name
9. Holy Spirit, please daily draw me to the place of prayer, in Jesus’ name.
10. Father, I surrender my will for Your will, please let Your will be done in my life, in Jesus’ name.
11. LORD, help us to get it right in Nigeria, and let Your perfect will be enforced on us in Jesus’ name.
12. Heavenly Father, let Your peace reign in this country,
13. Whether the devil likes it or not, I will make heaven and receive my eternal rewards in Jesus’ Name.
14. This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
15. Personal and family prayer requests.
16. Confession: God bless the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), God bless the Universal Church, and bless our country Nigeria -1 Chronicles 17:27.
17. Thank You Lord for answered prayers, in Jesus’ Mighty Name we pray. Amen.