Bibledoorajar emphasizes God's Need to Form Character

     For the last several lessons we have been looking at how God formed Leah's realization of His great power to give her sons even though her husband did not love her. After number four, she seemed to finally understand the importance of giving her praise to the eternal One. As we mentioned, the name of her fourth son, Judah, was given with only praise to Him in mind. Well, ole Dad had been collecting sons from the woman he did not love, so, how was he doing on his learning curve? Remember, he had already recognized the all powerful nature of God on the way to his uncle's house and knew that he would be His servant. The text implies that Jacob got the point. But still God was at work. The fact that Jacob took the right of the firstborn, Esau, meant that Jacob needed to see the wickedness of this action. So, for four babies straight, the rights of the firstborn, Leah, were emphasized. Laban had put Jacob in a position where he had to serve both the right of the firstborn and Laban his human master. Clearly, Jacob was going to have to learn patience and how to wait on God's timing. This was surely something he had been unwilling to do while in the home of his father, Isaac.
     On a personal note, I have recently moved to live full time the Texas home. It was a move that I thought would have happened about four years ago. I made a big announcement to my church family that I would be selling my place in Alabama and moving to Texas. But God saw fit to take the "I" out of the equation and reminded me of His timing and His ways. I had to be reminded of how much better it is to say, "as the Lord wills." Once on a less proud footing, a peaceful approach to the sell occurred. During that time of waiting, God provided miraculously and I was able to make many necessary changes to the house and belongings that would enhance the sell.  And, I was still able to pay expenses on two places which was getting more difficult to do. When the necessary changes were completed, and when I had declared the house would sell in His timing, it sold and did so very quickly.  How great it is for us, when we keep things in perspective and recognize that God is in control and is always teaching us valuable lessons all along the way. How much He wants His children to reflect His characteristics! Thank you Father for shaping our lives.

      "Have thine own way Lord, have thine own way,
       Hold o'er my being absolute sway."

     When Adelaide Pollard wrote this hymn, she was learning a godly lesson. She had wanted to go to
Africa as a missionary, but had been unable to raise the necessary funds. Despondent, she attended a prayer meeting. There an elderly woman prayed, "it does not matter what You do Lord, just have Your own way in our lives." That night, Adelaide penned the four verses of this hymn before she retired for the evening. Lesson learned. Find a hymnal and read all four. It will give you peace.