The Prophetic Word - Day 181: Don’t get left alone to your own devices.

“Now Jacob heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, “Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s, and from what was our father’s he has acquired all this wealth.” And Jacob saw the countenance of Laban, and indeed it was not favorable toward him as before. Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you.””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭31‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

If you have ever dealt much with children, you know that they often resist being told how to do something. The phrase, “I do it,” or something equivalent, is often among the first sentences spoken out of fresh little mouths.

Interestingly, that propensity toward not wanting to be told how to do something, is not always left when leaving childhood.

Now, not only is that not an expedient way to get things done—basically striving to reinvent the proverbial wheel rather than meriting from someone else’s experience—but, if this way of being and doing is applied to our relationship with God, we will never advance into mature sonship.

Even so, some people will hold tenaciously to their own way of doing, tragically, to their own destruction.

Indeed, the Lord often spoke to the children of Israel, His special people, concerning their unwillingness to submit to His way of being and doing. And, they often suffered because of their tendency toward self-will.

“For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” But you would not, And you said, “No, for we will flee on horses”— Therefore you shall flee! And, “We will ride on swift horses”— Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift! One thousand shall flee at the threat of one, At the threat of five you shall flee, Till you are left as a pole on top of a mountain And as a banner on a hill.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭30‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Yes, since the people were determined to do things their own way, they often found themselves having to run for their lives. Indeed, they were often left (as is expressed above) like a flagpole alone on a deserted hill—only a vestige of what once was.

In our opening scripture we see that Jacob, after years of living outside the land of his fathers (the Promised Land) is being instructed by the Lord to leave the house of Laban, and go back home.

As you may know, while in the house of Laban, Jacob—the one who was used to getting his own way, through his own maneuvering—got outmaneuvered by Laban.

“Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her.” And Laban gathered together all the men of the place and made a feast. Now it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. So it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭29‬:‭21‬-‭23‬, ‭25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Additionally, Laban had deceitfully changed Jacob’s wages, repeatedly.

Now, if Jacob was to enter into all the Lord had for him, he needed to follow the Lord’s way, completely.

Perhaps a showdown is in Jacob’s future. And, we will talk more about that tomorrow.

For today, ask the Lord if some of your own trouble came out of your wanting things your own way.

Please know, you really don’t want to be left to your own devices. The blessing found in a deeper relationship with the Lord, is only found in laying down your own devices and doing things His way.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

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