Apostle Paul says the Christian life is like a race or a marathon. Many racers start well, but many quit before the end. In general, there are two kinds of people, those with a promising start and weak end. And those with a humble beginnings but a strong finish. Lot is an example of the former. (Gen 13:8-23, Gen 19:29) Abraham on the other hand received all his promises from God in the future tense, yet he walked with the Lord and finished well (Gen 13:14-17, 25:7-9). Even in current days, it’s hard to find those who finish well. Statistics show that the only 1 out of 10 pastors will finish and retire as a pastor.
In this verse we find that Jacob finished well even though he didn’t begin that way. Jacob did not have an ideal life or reputation. He was a thief, liar, deceiver and poor father. He even lied to his own father and stole from his brother. (Gen 26:43-27:29). He also manipulated Laban’s sheep and played favorites amongst his sons. (Gen 30:42-43) According to the world, Jacob may have found ways to get what he desired, but his sinful actions seemed to put his eternal fate in jeopardy.
What happened so that Jacob could finish well? Hebrews 11:21 says ‘By faith’. In the end, Jacob’s life was defined by faith. John Owen says ‘The only way to receive supplies of spiritual strength and grace from Jesus Christ is faith.’ (Gal 2:20) Faith is defining attribute of our relationship with Jesus Christ.
What is faith?
Faith is to know who God is and what He has done, and follow Him. The amount of faith is not important but the object of faith. If your faith is in the true God, then you will finish well.
When a deed is done by faith, it does not mean that your faith is what accomplishes it. ‘By faith’ means ‘by God’ whom you believe. ‘By faith’ means you know God, that He is with you and He does these things according to His word. (Joshua 14:10-11)
Jacob has confidence in the Lord. It was by faith, he blessed Joseph’s sons. Without confidence, he wouldn’t be able to bless Joseph’s sons in the manner that he did. Although Joseph was Jacob’s son, Joseph was also the most powerful man in the world, second to Pharaoh. Joseph was upset that Jacob was blessing the younger and not the older, and even physically tried to change Jacob’s hands. Jacob simply replied, ‘I know’. (Gen 48:17-19) Jacob knew by faith. By faith Jacob, left the land of his fathers and went down to Egypt (Gen 46:3) and by faith Jacob blessed Ephraim and Manasseh.
Do you live by faith?
Are you confident in the Lord? Are you confident in His word? Are you like David, who seeks the Lord’s counsel first in the moment of crisis (1 Sam 30:50-6). David knew God is sovereign and in control of all things. He strengthened himself in the Lord. How does one strengthen oneself? By faith. To behave otherwise is a lack of understanding and disobedience of the living God. A lack of faith ignores God’s sovereignty and dishonors His word. The one great truth is God and His word, not our feelings and emotions. R. C. Sproul said ‘I don’t always feel His presence, but God’s promises do not depend on my feelings; they rest upon His integrity’ It is by faith in God’s promise that we will finish well.
BIBLE COMMUNITY CHURCH 
Leave a comment