S. O. A. P.

Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!

S-cripture:

Genesis 31:2

And Jacob noticed that Laban’s attitude toward him was not what it had been.

O-bservation:

Laban was both the Uncle and Father-In-Law of Jacob. When Jacob fled his home after stealing his brother’s birthright, his mother encouraged him to go to her brother’s home in Harran, some 400 miles away. After Jacob moved in with his Uncle Laban, Laban in time tricked him into working 14 years in order to marry two of his daughters. While there, Jacob caused his Father-In-Law/Uncle Laban to become very wealthy. At the same time, Jacob was working some trickery of his own and prospered as well. Laban’s sons reported this trickery to their father, and after 20 years of service to his Uncle, Laban’s attitude changed toward Jacob. Jacob quickly took his wives, children, and flocks and decided to … “Get Back To Where He Once Belonged.”

A-pplication:

This is a dynamic story of a young man who split his family in half and was forced to leave in order to save his own life. Jacob probably wondered if he’d ever get back home again. I speak to people all the time who tell me their sad and sometimes sordid stories of leaving home in a lather, or who were forced to leave against their will. I always remind them of the story of Jacob. Jacob felt trapped in a foreign land and culture, but dreaded the thought of going home. One day, the man who called the shots in Jacob’s life, Uncle Laban, had an attitude change towards him and it wasn’t good. But … it’s what got Jacob back home. If it’s not today, I believe a day is coming very soon where, just like Jacob, you will … “Get Back To Where You Once Belonged.”

P-rayer:

Dear Jesus,

I’m thankful today that no matter how far from You I have run, I’ve always felt like I could always “Get Back To Where I Once Belonged.” I’ll never leave home again. Amen