September 14th, 2020

Laban made things so difficult that Jacob finally decided to take his family and return home (Genesis 31:1-2). “Then the Lord said to Jacob, ‘Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives and I will be with you’” (Genesis 31:3). Little did Jacob realize that the Lord was setting him up, not to destroy him, but to transform him. Sometimes the Lord has to put us between a rock and a hard place to break our stubborn will. I call this a “severe mercy.”

“God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness …”

— Hebrews 12:10 (NIV 1984)

Lord, I thank You for the times you’ve put me between a rock and a hard place. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.