God’s Unwavering Love
Recently, I came face to face with one of my own mistakes.
It’s devastating when we realize our actions have hurt someone else, isn't it?
In Genesis 28, we find Jacob running for his life. Before running, Jacob stole his brother, Esau's birthright, and lied to his father, Isaaac, about it. His actions had long-term consequences. What had been stolen couldn’t be returned.
When Jacob arrives in the desert and lays down to rest, the unexpected happens.
God speaks to him in a dream- directly and unmistakably.
God chose this moment and this man to restate the covenant He established with his grandfather, Abram. If you haven't read this story in a while, take a look at the promise in Genesis 28:13-15. It is a powerful moment.
Why did God do this? Because His commitment to us is unwavering.
He sees all our mistakes, even when we can’t bear to look at them.
He sees the pain our mistakes cause in others, even when we don’t want to know.
He sees when we hurt people He dearly loves- people He bled and died for.
And yet He remains committed to us and His covenant stands sure.
God did not fix the mess Jacob created. He did not give Esau back his birthright or remove the pain of his betrayal from his father.
As always, however, God made something beautiful out of it; Jacob became the father of Joseph, who, despite being rejected and sold, saved his family - and the entire region - from the drought, thus providing a foreshadowing of the coming Messiah.
And just in case that wasn’t enough? Jacob, the wandering deceiver, is listed in the genealogy of Jesus.
And so are you, child of God. You are listed in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
The covenant God made with Abram, to bless his seed for generations to come, and the covenant He restated to Jacob to never leave him is the same covenant He keeps with you- despite your mistakes.
My sister, God will never leave you. Don’t hide the sinful decisions you have made from Him. He knows them already and still, His face is turned toward you. Repent and seek to do good.
What's your response, when faced with hurt you’ve caused? What does it look like to surrender to God when you’re in this place?
Meet the Author
Joni Boyd
Joni lives in Sydney, Australia with her three grown kids and husband of two years, Nathan.
After being divorced several years ago, Joni is grateful for the healing God has since done in her family and in herself. While she never expected to be divorced or remarried, this season is a precious gift from God and she is grateful for all of it.
Joni is passionate about encouraging women to go deeper with Jesus - so they would know that while life may not be as smooth as we’d like, Jesus is not afraid of the mess, nor does He lack the power to heal and transform.
