Jim Gallagher

Genesis 48:15-16
“God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked,
The God who has fed me all my life long to this day,
The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil…”

As the book of Genesis unwinds, we find Jacob getting very close to the end of his life. He knows, just about the only thing left is his departure. While he may not have a whole lot of life in front of him, he does have decades to look back upon. As he reflects upon his life, it is easy for him to see how the hand of God was with him all the way. As he looks back, he focuses upon two things.

First, he recalls how God provided for him. There were times in his life when he had next to nothing and other times when he lived with abundance. There were even times when it looked like he would lose all he had worked so hard to attain, yet in each of the seasons of life, he found God had been faithful to provide for him and his family.

Second, he reflects upon the grace of God. Like all of us, Jacob had a life of highs and lows. There were times when his life was a beautiful example of a believer, and other times when his life was marked by lack of trust and living for self. No matter what had transpired, when he looked back, Jacob could see the hand of God redeeming him. I have to believe, one of the highlights in his life, was to have his relationship with Esau restored, by the grace of God.

Whatever you are facing, why not look back and reflect upon the hand of God caring for you through the years. If there are things that are left unredeemed, take some time to ask Him to repair that which is broken.

Pastor Jim