CHANGE

CHANGE

Sometimes change is dreaded; sometimes change is desirable.  For many, there is nothing more intimidating than the prospect of major changes in familiar routines and circumstances.  New conditions immediately result in attacks of anxiety and morbid fears of the unknown.  Others welcome and embrace life changes as golden opportunities to potentially forge fresh connections with growth or restoration.

Allow me to cite two diametrically-opposite Biblical examples:

Jacob submitted to Laban’s requirement of indentured servitude to gain the hand of his lovely daughter, Rachel.  However, his employer resorted to deceptive practices in order to ‘marry off’ two daughters, Leah and Rachel.  As a result, Jacob worked a total of twenty years to fulfill the terms of the betrothal covenant and to gain a substantial endowment of cattle.  Jacob did not anticipate such an extended time frame and was not very happy with his unexpected life-detour.  Even in their animal transaction, Laban intended to slight Jacob, but God intervened with a creative strategy by which Jacob prevailed and prospered. [Genesis, chapter 31]

Genesis 31:6-7;41
And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.

And your father hath deceived me, and CHANGED my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.

Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.

Although Laban designed contractual changes and deceptive methods to gain the upper hand over Jacob, GOD allowed this grandson of Patriarch Abraham, this father of Israel’s twelve tribes, to prosper.

On the other hand, Job was totally desirous of change.  His life situation had completely deteriorated, in sudden and catastrophic ways.  Virtually overnight, Job lost his children, his health, his wealth, his wife’s goodwill and his closest friends’ support.  In that quagmire of absolute loss, Job’s mind pondered eternity: “If a man die, shall he live again?”  Nevertheless, he answered his own question with great faith and intestinal fortitude: “All the days of my appointed time will I WAIT, till my CHANGE come.” (Job 14:14)  In the end, God restored Job’s tragic losses, and his latter years were more blessed than his former.

While these two situations seem to be radically different, they possess one common thread.  Whether we are happily experiencing those changes in which we delight or struggling desperately with those changes that we dread, our GOD is absolutely in control.  Both Jacob and Job prevailed over their detractors and circumstances.  For both parties, the element of PATIENCE was a necessary prerequisite to personally experience divine favor and blessing.  Jesus Christ declares to us across time and eternity, “By your patience possess your souls.” (Luke 21:19, NKJV)

Therefore, in case it does not ‘look’ like you are winning, please remember that GOD is always up to something behind the scenes.  “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28, NKJV)  Sisters and brothers, walk in faith and patience, and whatever changes may come or go, you will be continually blessed!