Genesis 29:20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.

Introductory Thoughts

Jacob made an agreement with Laban to serve him in exchange for Rachel’s hand in marriage. His tenure of service was filled with great difficulties. Not only was the service itself hard work, but his service was marked with change and troubles. No doubt Jacob could have bemoaned these difficulties, but instead the Bible says that the seven years of service “seemed unto him but a few days.” How could Jacob give such testimony when we know that those were seven arduous years of labour? The Bible explains that he made it through those difficult days “for the love he had to her.” Our love for the Saviour ought to parallel and even exceed Jacob’s love for Rachel. Similar to Jacob’s determination to serve, we too have a purpose. At times, our service for the Lord may seem filled with great difficulties, but a deep and genuine love for the Saviour will make one’s service seem “but a few days.”

Devotional thoughts

  •  (For children):Paul suffered many things because of his service to God (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). His love for God caused him to look on his suffering as a “light affliction, which is but for a moment” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Oh, that we had a similar kind of love for the Lord (Acts 21:13)!
  •  (For everyone):Are God’s commandments grievous to you? Sometimes our service may be difficult, but our love for the Lord should keep His commandments from being grievous (1 John 5:3).
  •  Do you often feel like your service to God is difficult? Do you find yourself complaining about the sacrifices you have made for the Lord? Why do you think this is?

Prayer Thoughts

  •  Ask the Lord to help you serve Him by love.
  • Ask Him to give you a love for others.

 

 

SONG: TBD

 

Quotes from the next volume

(VOLUME 3, WEEK 27)

Subject: Resolution

Problems, trials, and tribulations occur because of the presence of sin, and as long as sin is in this world, men will be faced with these difficulties.

The Devil would have man believe that hiding from problems solves them. This is a lie!

God knows what man has need of before it is ever brought to Him in prayer (Matthew 6:8), but He still desires for man to come to Him for help.