Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Genesis 29:15-30 (NIV)
15 Laban said to him, “Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.” 16 Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah had weak[a] eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. 18 Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.” 19 Laban said, “It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.” 20 So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. 21 Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to make love to her.” 22 So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. 23 But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her. 24 And Laban gave his servant Zilpah to his daughter as her attendant. 25 When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?” 26 Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. 27 Finish this daughter’s bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.” 28 And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. 29 Laban gave his servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her attendant. 30 Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years.
“How many years did Jacob wait to gain the woman he loved?” “What did Jacob do all the while he was waiting?”
God of eternity, one thousand years is like a day to you but to me, there are times where one day feels like one thousand years. I know that You are never late in answering prayers because Your timing is always perfect but I have to confess that it is very hard for me to wait. I want You to answer my prayers now. I am an action-oriented person and I want to know where I stand, what am I dealing with, what the next step is and what are root causes to issues. Help me trust that You are answering prayers even though I have no clarifications, guarantees or action plans. Help me to submit totally in You and wait for Your perfect timing. And while I am waiting, Lord, give me work to do that pleases You. Show me ways where I can serve, people who are in need, and ways where my skills can be of use to Your kingdom so that my focus will be on serving You and others and away from myself. In Your precious name, Amen