RETURNING HOME

Gen. 31:3 Then the LORD said to Jacob, "Return to the land of your father and grandfather and to your relatives there, and I will be with you."

Jacob had been away from his homeland for twenty years. God had promised him that the land would be the possession of his descendants. Jacob had gotten comfortable in the land where he lived. He had married the daughters of Laban, fathered many children, and had acquired great wealth. He had a good life working for Laban and he was by this time getting along in years. Yet, he was not where God wanted him to be. It was time for him to uproot his family and move back home, to the land God had promised Abraham that it would be his descendants. God worked things out so that Jacob and his wives were all in agreement and he instilled a spirit of disfavor in the hearts of Labon and his sons towards Jacob.

Some people seem to be on the move all the time. Others settle in to a location and lifestyle and never move. It's not easy to pick up and move, especially when your roots are deep in a community. Moving affects your family, friends and security. It is usually an adventure into the unknown and is often done with many questions on one's mind.

Yet, when a move is ordained by God, He helps us to take the leap of faith and do it. He knows what lies ahead of us in the unknown. He knows what He has for us to do. He knows the difference we will be making in the lives of others. He never leads us to move out of our comfort zone without having some better good in store for us.

Jacob's future was going to be filled with many unexpected events right up until his death. He would eventually end up in Egypt and die there. Jacob had learned very valuable lessons in his life by listening to God and moving back home. The Lord always knows best and when we follow His leading, He blesses and works things out for our good and His glory. Don't be afraid to obey the Lord and do what He bids you to do. He has what is best for you, your family and others in mind. God can always be trusted to do what is best for you.