Because of ~
Genesis 29:24 & 25
But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, because of your father’s God, Who helps you, because of the Almighty, Who blesses you with blessings of the skies above, blessings of the deep springs below, blessings of the breast and womb.
Ever forget your why, your purpose, your reason?
Ever question whether you will survive the storm you are enduring?
Ever wonder how you're going to get from point A to Point B in this mountain that you're climbing?
Friends, satan's greatest goal is for us to forget our "because of". he wants nothing more than to take us off course and confuse the tar out of us so that we question our God given story that He has called us to for His glory. Made for More
Those are the moments when we HAVE to dig in our heals and say BECAUSE OF
These words in Genesis were spoken by Jacob, who later became Israel, to his son Joseph as a blessing. But here's something to think about:
Jacob/Israel's Trials
- was a deceiver and therefore had to flee his brother's wrath
- had to work 14 years for his father-in-law to marry the lady he loved
- wrestled with God the night before he faced the brother he had cheated years earlier
- thought his son Joseph was dead
Joseph's Trials
- was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers
- was imprisoned for crimes he did not commit
- interpreted a dream for a fellow prisoner in exchange for a good word that would lead to his release, only to be forgotten
- separated from his father for 22 years
These two men faced some intense trials; yet they remained firm BECAUSE OF.
In the face of bitter archers who attacked him (verse 23), Joseph's bow remained steady and his strong arms limber because of:
- the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, his father
- THE Shepherd
- the Rock of Israel
- his father's God Who helped him
- the Almighty Who blessed him
In the face of some pretty gnarly life circumstances, Israel and Joseph remembered their because of.
Corrie ten Boom remembered her because of. Living with her family in Holland, being arrested for helping the Jews, and then enduring the unfathomable concentration camps, she knew the Mighty One of Jacob, her Shepherd, her Rock of Israel, her father's God Who helped her, the Almighty Who blessed her in the midst of pure horror.
Her testimony has reached millions of people across the world. Her message of clinging to God while suffering unimaginably and telling how He brought her through is a powerful reminder on Whom my mind needs to be fixed.
I love this picture because it appears that a stick is hanging in mid-air. On closer look there are small tendrils holding that stick and preventing it from falling.
You see, that's our because of. No matter where we are, whether we feel Him or not, He's there helping and blessing in the middle our storms both big and small.
Cling to Him, He won't let you fall ~
NOTE: I will be taking a 2 month hiatus - see you in August!
Thanks for reminding me that it is all because of Him!
Love the nuggets God sends exactly when we need them!!
Because of Him I can make it through each day, every trial, every conflict. Great picture and great blog!
Amen! Because of Him ~
I love that! Because of. Reminds me of a favorite verse: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.”
Lamentations 3:22 NIV Praise God!!
So many reminders of our “because of” in Scripture. Love this one as well!