Jacob had been with Laban for twenty-one years. He had labored for fourteen years to pay the bride price for his two wives, and then he had worked seven years for his livelihood. His father-in-law had mistreated him and cheated him along the way. Sleep had fled from before his eyes, sweat had been upon his brow, and now, Laban and his sons were eyeing him with suspicion rather than favor. They despised him rather than loved him. He labored for good and was repaid with evil.

I wonder if you know this feeling? When you feel as though all you have done is sought to labor for the good of those around you, and yet they have not even given you an ounce of gratitude or respect. You feel like you have sown and reaped gold for someone and yet been repaid with pain and sorrow. Many of us know this feeling. Where is hope to be found when this is the case? You must learn to look to the same place that Jacob does. It doesn’t come naturally to Jacob; he has to be reminded, but he does learn.

The Lord comes to Jacob in Genesis 31 and says, “Return to your father’s land, and I will be with you.” Then, in recounting the matter to his wives, Jacob declares that the Lord had told him, “I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me. Now arise, go out from this land and return to the land of your kindred.” He then, with great courage, moves forward with his family with strength to obey the Lord. He puts his fears behind him and begins to take action. He isn’t perfect from this moment, but he acts. He doesn’t sit around and sulk, but steps forward by faith.

What is it that inspires such courage in Jacob in this moment? What is it in the words of the Lord that calls forward this greatness in Jacob? The Lord reminds Jacob of who he is and His faithfulness. Jacob finds courage when the Lord is brought to mind. This is a wonderful encouragement to us. When trials come and difficulties rise, when we are tempted to despair or overcome with sorrow, we must remember the Lord. We must set our minds and hearts towards the Lord who has promised to be with us. There may be days when we look around us and consider giving up because of the thick darkness, and yet the Lord is just as much with us today as he was yesterday and last year. The key to walking by faith is not the size of your faith, but remembering the size of your God.