Part 1 – Flexibility Training – Reading
It shouldn’t surprise us that Jacob’s uncle is even more cunning and calculating than his mother. It may even seem right that Jacob got some back of what he’d been giving. But more important is that God used all of this to make Jacob into a man who sought to honor the God of his fathers, a man who saw God’s provision in the midst of the trials with his uncle/father-in-law.
Read Genesis 29
That is quite a love story even in the midst of all Laban’s schemes. Jacob really loved Rachel and happily worked seven years for her. And perhaps, like his father and grandfather before him, he had only wanted one wife. But as God allowed things to work out for him, he suddenly found himself with two. Not to mention being bound to his scheming uncle/father-in-law for another seven years. But through those seven years, God used the hard times to build him into a man who would train his sons to love the Lord and serve Him only.
PART 2 – Strength Training – Memory & Thinking
Keep working on memorizing the Word of God. Put them on your phone, or in note cards, and review them when you find yourself in line, or when you are waiting for an appointment. Keep bringing them to mind, and you will find they come to mind easier.
Genesis 29:20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.
Hebrews 11:20 It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau.
Philippians 2:4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”
1 Peter 3:5-6 This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands. For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do.
We are told throughout the Bible that God disciplines His children. There are times it may feel as if we are being punished. And certainly there were probably times Jacob thought his trials with his uncle/father-in-law were punishment for his schemes against his brother, and lies to his father. But Jesus has taken on our punishment; so, though it may feel like it, God is not punishing us for our sins. But He may be disciplining us and training us up to be the very image of Jesus.
Hebrews 12:5-6 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
Part 3 – Cardio Training – Prayer
Ask God to help you accept the discipline He gives you in your life. Ask Him to send you the Holy Spirit to help you continue when you feel weary. Ask God to help you remember that He loves you.
Part 4 – Endurance Training
Jacob found that endurance is easy when one has the promise of a sweet reward. Seven years seemed but a few days. We have the promise of the ultimate reward awaiting us. Keep that reward in sight to help you continue to persevere day after day, year after year.
And keep coming back to read God’s Word and learn more about Him.
An Extra Lap
Did you notice how the names of Leah’s sons showed the trajectory of her hope to be loved?1. Reuben = Now my husband will love me.
2. Simeon = God heard I’m still hated.
3. Levi = Now my husband will be attached to me.
4. Judah = This time I will just praise the Lord.
Take a moment to reread the story from Leah’s perspective.
Faith Gym 