Daily Devotions

In Genesis 27:28-29 we find these words, “May God give you heaven’s dew and earth’s richness — an abundance of grain and new wine. May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed.”

These verses record Isaac's blessing of Jacob, which was intended for Esau. This promises Jacob a life of abundance and authority, including the dew of heaven, the fatness of the earth, and the subordination of nations and his brothers. It also states that those who bless Jacob will be blessed, and those who curse him will be cursed, echoing God's promise to Abraham. 

As a minister was addressing a group of men, he took a large piece of paper and made a black dot in the centre of it with a marking pen. Then he held the paper up before the group and asked them what they saw. One person quickly replied, “I see a black mark.” “Right,” the preacher replied. “What else do you see?” Complete silence prevailed. “Don’t you see anything other than the dot?” he asked. A chorus of noes came from the audience. “I’m really surprised,” the speaker commented. “You have completely overlooked the most important thing of all—the sheet of paper.” 

Then he made the application. He said that in life we are often distracted by small, dot-like disappointments or painful experiences, and we are prone to forget the innumerable blessings we receive from the hand of the Lord. But like the sheet of paper, the good things are far more important than the adversities that monopolise our attention.

In spite of Jacob’s deception the promises of God are still sure. As we see later in the unfolding story of Jacob’s life along with God’s blessing comes responsibility to be that blessing.

Lord of every blessing Bless me I pray so that I may be a blessing, use my hands with Your power so that I may be a channel of Your grace in every step I take. May I lead people to know more and more of Your love and care as I love and care. May Your grace always be with us, guiding and protecting us, today and always. Amen