Jacob’s rap sheet included words like cheater, deceiver, trickster, grifter, liar. He was a bit of a mess. Aren’t we all? Like him, our spiritual walk follows a crooked path. And we wonder, does God have a place for us? Well the answer through Jacob is “yes.” God uses flawed folks. He doesn’t cast us out when we deserve it.
He does, however, let us reap what we sow. Evil rebounds. So does good. Jesus summed up the bounce-back principle when he said, “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:2 NIV). Do you want God to disperse mercy upon you with a bucket? Then use a bucket as you disperse mercy to others. Would you want him to use a teaspoon? Well, you get the point. God never gives up on you.
