When "Life Sucks"

God's W-O-R-D for today:

Whisper of God - 

With her last breath, for she was now dying, she named him Ben-oni (Son-of-My-Pain), but his father named him Ben-jamin (Son-of-Good-Fortune).

(Genesis 35:18 MsgB)

Observation -

Some might wonder, "How cold hearted can Jacob be; his wife just died giving birth and he called his new son 'Good Fortune?'" Jacob felt the pain and sorrow of his wife's death, but even in the mist of his loss he maintained a perspective that only God could give.

God had just visited again with Jacob in a place that he called "Bethel" (God's House). It was here that God reaffirmed the promise given to Jacob's forefathers, Abraham and Isaac. God would be with Jacob, now called Israel by God (which meant God-wrestler). For all of his faults Jacob had done what God told him to do. He left his father-in-law Laban and was on his way back home to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan - the Promised Land. God assured Jacob that his descendants would become a great nation, kings would be among his descendants, and they would possess the land.

This is why Jacob could look past the momentary pain and look to the future with hope. His son would be Benjamin (Son of good fortune) and not Ben-oni (Son of pain).

Real Life Application -

I need to be careful to have a God-given perspective and not become short-sighted by the trials of today.

Day's Prayer -

Lord, I put on reading glasses to change my perspective to see clearly what is right in front of me. Sometimes I confess that even without my glasses all I can see what is within arm's reach. Holy Spirit, give me an eternal perspective. Enable me to look beyond myself and the circumstances I face from day to day. On those days when "life sucks" I want to have faith to look beyond my pain knowing that You will not leave one of Your promises unkept.