How would our application for heaven stand up? On our own, we would be rejected. We have the perfect résumé through Jesus our Savior.

We live in an angry world. Road rage, social media comments, and unprovoked attacks are evidence that anger causes trouble. What about our anger? Can we let it go? Do we have good reason to live differently? YES!

Despite Jacob’s sins, Jesus reminds us that God used Jacob for the purpose of delivering all people from sin.

Jacob settled in the promised Land, assured again of God’s promises. Jesus has prepared a place for us in the promised land of heaven.

Jacob and Esau put their problems behind them. Because we are forgiven in Christ, we can make peace in our conflicts.

As he prepared to meet Esau, Jacob wrestled with God. He knew only God could bless him. We hold on to God’s promises to us.

Jacob worked 20 years for Laban. God blessed Laban greatly through Jacob. Yet, Laban became the greatest obstacle Jacob could not escape. But God did not forget his promise to bless Jacob.

Troubles arose when Rebekah and Leah used their children as tokens in the game to gain Jacob’s affection. But God reminds us that children are precious gifts from him.

Hoping to get another 7 years of work from Jacob, Laban deceived him. God kept his promises to Jacob, just as he protects us from the deceiver in keeping with his promises.

God’s promises overwhelmed Jacob. He promises his devotion to God because of those promises. We live our lives for the one who loved us first.