Jacob refused to be comforted when he heard of Joseph's "death" (Genesis 37:34-35).
He vowed to mourn the rest of his life.
His vow didn't change his situation nor did it bring Joseph back. All it did was make Jacob miserable.
For the 15 years Jacob was separated from Joseph, he could have rested in God's constant comfort and let that comfort flow into the lives of others around him because "God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
But Jacob refused that comfort.*
Sometimes I also refuse to be comforted. I have a situation in my life that is ongoing and heart-breaking, and sometimes I let it overwhelm me.
That's when I need to get alone with my God and my Bible.
I need to cry out to Him, pour out my heart to him, and climb into His arms of comfort and love.
Do you need to climb into those arms today?
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*It appears that Jacob continued to refuse comfort until he was restored to Joseph (Genesis 42:36; 44:18-31).
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We have that tendency to wallow in our sorrows for a time, before we smarten up and call on the Lord. Why is that? He has never not been there waiting for us to ask for His love and help.
ReplyDeleteYes, Connie, I'm guilty of this myself. That's one reason I wrote this devotion...to remind me! :)
DeleteI am guilty of that myself too, Gail! that is why we need to go to him for comfort at all times.
ReplyDeleteJer. 31:15 This is what the LORD says: "A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of that Scripture. Another reference to those who "refused to be comforted" - I need to study that one, Jude.
DeleteGreat post. Part of his refusal to be comforted helped his sons that did bad to Joseph hate what they did. Very interesting post. That about Rachel too.
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