GENESIS 30:27. “And Laban said unto him, ‘I pray thee, if I have found favor in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake.’”
I HAVE LEARNED BY EXPERIENCE. I know it is important to learn God’s truth, and ways He has dealt with others, Those who are older and have traveled life’s roads – they can be my teachers. Things I learn from experienced folks, may keep me back from danger, Like, “Stay away from fire;” “Don’t talk back; “Never take candy from strangers.” But now I am older and others come by, to talk over the life I have lived. From the Bible I teach what I learned from Him who is willing advice to give; “Give and it shall be given unto you;” “Seek and ye shall find;” “Knock and it shall be opened unto you” – and God’s Gospel will give sight to the blind.
Some things we know, we’ve “been there – done that,” we’ve gone and now we are back. To pass on to others things we have learned that they might not stray from the track, Seems only right, but there’s a problem to this – most are polite but don’t want to listen. People don’t like things taught too specific; they want to search out what is hidden. The best we can do is give guidelines in general, and assure them we really care; When they need our help, feel free to come, and rest assured – they’re remembered in prayer. Then we step back; watch and be quiet, and see God at work in their lives. Would you believe! They are doing alright! Their success is a real surprise.
I have learned by experience – don’t talk too much, too many words will come back to bite. I have learned by experience – work in the day, you can accomplish much more in the light. I have learned by experience – do not “go it alone”, I am not really as smart as I think. I have learned by experience – don’t go close to what’s wrong, stay far away from sin’s brink. I have learned by experience – I can’t do it all, others can do many things much better than me. I have learned by experience – take a second good look, for not all “gifts” offered really are free. I have learned by experience – my God can be trusted, never once has He ever let me down. I have learned by experience – when I live life by faith, all He asks me to do will get done.
I have learned by experience – those that I teach, are more convinced by the things that they see. I have learned by experience – they are more willing to act, on what they see truly modeled by me. I have learned by experience – children choose to love, if they see real love between me and my wife. I have learned by experience – families will serve God, if they see compassion lived out in my life. I have learned by experience – I generally sleep well, if anything wrong is made right. I have learned by experience – if sleep escapes me, my Lord gives me songs in the night. I have learned by experience – God wants to save souls, but I must sow seed and water with tears. I have learned by experience – as one of God’s sons, it is great honor the name “Christian” to bear.
“Father, I thank Thee today for the divine Teacher, the Holy Spirit. May I never take His instructions for granted and may I always be willing to act on He teaches me. The scriptures of truth give understanding, and the experiences Thou hast sent my way have given me some practical knowledge of how best to serve Thee. Thanks for these many lessons. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”