“This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?” Luke 13:16
Jacob had seen the blessing of God at work in his life, and he knew that had it not been for God’s blessing, he would be and have nothing. At every turn, despite every attempt by Laban to rob him, God turned every one of those attempts into a blessing. The blessing of God even showed itself in the form of protection. Laban heard directly from the Lord not to harm Jacob when he set out in pursuit of him. And, even Esau approached Jacob with a welcoming embrace when Jacob thought that surely his brother would seek revenge.
When Jacob found himself wrestling with God at Peniel, he wanted more of God’s blessing. The blessing doesn’t mean that trouble never comes our way, but it does mean that there should be a remedy. Just because we are going through something, doesn’t mean we have to stay there. Such was the case with the women Jesus encountered at the synagogue, who had been bent over for 18 years. The number 18 means bondage and that is what she had known until she met Jesus. She knew that, at the very least, because she was a daughter of Abraham and was entitled to the “Blessing of Abraham,” that it wasn’t right for this to remain her lot in life.
Just like her, you and I are also heirs to the promise and blessing of Abraham all because of what Jesus has done for us. Paul tells us in Galatians 3:26-29, “And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.”
Today, remind yourself that if circumstance, or even the devil himself, have caused your life to feel crippled and bound, that as a child of God, you are an heir to the promise and blessing. And even if you find yourself in such a place, remember that’s not the place for you. It may be the fact, but it’s certainly not the Truth! You are blessed, favored, and loved!