Life can be messy, full of struggles, and sometimes even chaotic. But even in the middle of all that, God is still at work, shaping a future and keeping his promises. Looking at Jacob’s life in Genesis 29, it’s clear that he was no stranger to deception, family dysfunction, and personal failures. He tricked his brother Esau, was deceived by his uncle Laban, and ended up in a complicated marriage situation that led to rivalry and bitterness between his wives, Leah and Rachel. Yet, through all of this, God was still working. He was forming the twelve tribes of Israel, fulfilling his promises, and using even the brokenness of Jacob’s family for his greater plan. The same is true for us—our struggles, failures, and even the chaos in our lives don’t have the final say. God’s grace does.  

Scripture References: Genesis 29:1-35, Genesis 30:1-24

Related Topics: Failure, God's Faithfulness, God's Sovereignty | More Messages from Josh Weiland | Download Audio

From Series: "Pursuing Presence"

Jacob had quite a life. It was one that was all about God's presence, but I'm not sure he saw it that way! In Jacob we'll see the life of a twin brother who struggled against his own family from the womb all the way to old age, until he finally learned how to allow God's pursuing presence to define his life. Jacob's journey, in many ways, is the opposite of what God desires for us. (To call it messy is an understatement.) Yet his life is also one of many in Scripture where we see God never quits pursuing us!

Message Notes & Study Guide