THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION) Daily Fountain Devotional 8 August 2024: Journeying Into God’s Purpose
DATE: THURSDAY, 8TH AUGUST, 2024
TOPIC: JOURNEYING INTO GOD’S PURPOSE
TEXT: GENESIS 29: 1-35 *(NKJV)*
29:1. So Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the East.
29:2. And he looked, and saw a well in the field; and behold, there [were] three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks. A large stone [was] on the well's mouth.
29:3. Now all the flocks would be gathered there; and they would roll the stone from the well's mouth, water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place on the well's mouth.
29:4. And Jacob said to them, "My brethren, where [are] you from?" And they said, "We [are] from Haran."
29:5. Then he said to them, "Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?" And they said, "We know him."
29:6. So he said to them, "Is he well?" And they said, "[He is] well. And look, his daughter Rachel is coming with the sheep."
29:7. Then he said, "Look, [it is] still high day; [it is] not time for the cattle to be gathered together. Water the sheep, and go and feed [them."]
29:8. But they said, "We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together, and they have rolled the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep."
29:9. Now while he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherdess.
29:10. And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.
29:11. Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice and wept.
29:12. And Jacob told Rachel that he [was] her father's relative and that he [was] Rebekah's son. So she ran and told her father.
29:13. Then it came to pass, when Laban heard the report about Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him and kissed him, and brought him to his house. So he told Laban all these things.
29:14. And Laban said to him, "Surely you [are] my bone and my flesh." And he stayed with him for a month.
29:15. Then Laban said to Jacob, "Because you [are] my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what [should] your wages [be?"]
29:16. Now Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder [was] Leah, and the name of the younger [was] Rachel.
29:17. Leah's eyes [were] delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance.
29:18. Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, "I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter."
29:19. And Laban said, "[It is] better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me."
29:20. So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed [only] a few days to him because of the love he had for her.
29:21. Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give [me] my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her."
29:22. And Laban gathered together all the men of the place and made a feast.
29:23. Now it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her.
29:24. And Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah [as] a maid.
29:25. So it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it [was] Leah. And he said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?"
29:26. And Laban said, "It must not be done so in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.
29:27. "Fulfill her week, and we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven years."
29:28. Then Jacob did so and fulfilled her week. So he gave him his daughter Rachel as wife also.
29:29. And Laban gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as a maid.
29:30. Then [Jacob] also went in to Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years.
29:31. When the LORD saw that Leah [was] unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel [was] barren.
29:32. So Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, "The LORD has surely looked on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will love me."
29:33. Then she conceived again and bore a son, and said, "Because the LORD has heard that I [am] unloved, He has therefore given me this [son] also." And she called his name Simeon.
29:34. She conceived again and bore a son, and said, "Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons." Therefore his name was called Levi.
29:35. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, "Now I will praise the LORD." Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she stopped bearing.
Daily Fountain Devotional 8 August 2024 MESSAGE:
Jacob was on a journey to get a wife as directed by his father (Gen. 28: 2). High hopes were on this marriage as it was expected to bring about the fulfilment of God’s promises to Abraham (Gen. 28: 2-4). Jacob must not miss it, especially in marriage!
Marriage is therefore a journey into God’s purpose for one’s life. “Jacob went on his journey… ” (v.1). For Jacob, it was love at first sight as he met with Rachel. She was a shepherdess, beautiful young lady and God-sent.
Could it be a mere coincidence that Rachel appeared when he enquired of her father from the shepherds at the well? Was it not how Rebecca met with Eliezer? (Gen. 24: 15-16).
If these were Jacob’s presumed thoughts, then it is obvious that he didn’t follow the prayer aspect of Eliezer’s journey of getting a wife for Isaac (Gen. 24: 11-27). Jacob invested his all to have Rachel.
Could it be that Leah was the will of God for him but he wanted Rachel? He was later to find out thatthe rejected Leah was his fruitful vine (Psa. 128: 3). What path have you taken in your journey to fulfilling God’s purpose for your life? Are you taking the path of self-will or God’s will?
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PRAYER:
Not my will but Your will, oh Lord!
Daily Fountain Devotional 8 August 2024 PRAYER:
1. Father in the name of Jesus, thank You for the grace to see this day in good health and sound mind.
2. Father, thank You for the special gift of life, many wished to see this day, but they couldn’t.
3. Thank You Jesus for being there for us, Your children.
4. Thank You Lord for Your plans for me this month and this year. They are plans of good, not of evil, to give me a successful and good end.
5. Father, please forgive me all my known and unknown sins, and give me power to overcome sin and its lustful desires, in Jesus’ name
6. Father, please give our youth spouses that will help in fulfilling Your purpose for their lives, in Jesus’ name.
7. I pray that our youth will not miss it in marriage, most especially the God fearing one’s, in Jesus’ name
8. Holy Spirit, help me to take the part of God’s will in fulfilling God’s purpose for my life, in Jesus’ name
9. Holy Spirit, please daily draw me to the place of prayer, in Jesus’ name.
10. Father, I surrender my will for Your will, please let Your will be done in my life, in Jesus’ name.
11. LORD, help us to get it right in Nigeria, and let Your perfect will be enforced on us in Jesus’ name.
12. Heavenly Father, let Your peace reign in this country,
13. Whether the devil likes it or not, I will make heaven and receive my eternal rewards in Jesus’ Name.
14. This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
15. Personal and family prayer requests.
16. *Confession:* God bless the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), God bless the Universal Church, and bless our country Nigeria -1 Chronicles 17:27.
17. Thank You Lord for answered prayers, in Jesus’ Mighty Name we pray. Amen.
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Also Study: Anglican Daily Fountain Devotional 7 August 2024: An Ever-speaking Altar
Jesus Trends Salvation Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I come to You in humility and repentance, acknowledging my sins and my need for Your grace. Lord Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God, who died for my sins and rose again to give me eternal life. I confess You as my Savior and Lord.
Forgive me, cleanse me with Your precious blood, and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I turn away from my sinful ways and open my heart to You. Take control of my life and guide me in Your truth.
If you joined in that life-changing prayer, congratulations! We are happy that you have surrendered your life to Jesus!
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