Read Genesis 29:1-30.
When Jacob first arrived in Harran, he was immediately smitten with his cousin Rachel. So, he made a deal with his uncle: "I'll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel" (Genesis 29:18). In those days, it was more appropriate to work for one or two years in such an arrangement. But Laban didn't bat an eye. He took advantage of Jacob and took him up on his generous offer.
God's grace calls the unworthy, loves the unlovable, and uses the unusable.
For Jacob, the seven years of hard work went quickly because he was so in love. But when the day finally came for him to marry Rachel, Laban pulled a fast one. In the dark of night, Laban gave him his oldest daughter, Leah, instead of Rachel. And just like that, the deceiver was deceived.
Jacob's trickery had finally caught up with him. Though Jacob was to be served (see Genesis 25:23), he wound up serving Laban. When Jacob realized he'd wed Leah, he must have felt just like Esau had when he'd realized he'd traded his birthright for a bowl of stew (see 25:34). And when Jacob felt the sting of Laban's deception, he finally understood the hurt he had caused his own father (see 27:1-37). God cannot be mocked—and Jacob was now reaping what he had sown. And for the rest of his life, he had the scars to prove it. But those scars did not nullify the grace of God. The Lord still used Jacob, and through him, the twelve tribes of Israel were born.
You may be thinking, I have some scars, and they are keeping me from sowing good seeds. Let me tell you this: The grace of God can overrule. That's precisely what He did in the life of Jacob, and He can do so in your life as well. God's grace is more powerful than all your past scars. God's grace can polish even the roughest of diamonds. God's grace calls the unworthy, loves the unlovable, and uses the unusable. God's grace is more than we could ever hope for or imagine.
Prayer: Father, Your grace is sufficient. You empower me to do good work despite my scars. You restore my soul, and one day my redemption will be complete when You return to make all things new. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
"When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, 'What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn't I? Why have you deceived me?'" (Genesis 29:25).
Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef's sermon series Fear Deceives, Grace Frees: WATCH NOW
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