He has been with me!
Today’s devotions takes us to Genesis 31, the story of Jacob’s fleeing from Laban.
When Jacob noticed that Laban’s attitude toward him has changed, God told him to flee the land, and reassures him that He is with him. Once Jacob receives God’s command to flee, he turns to Rachel and Leah and said:
“I see that your father’s attitude toward me is not what it was before, but...”
(Ouuu, there’s a “but”!!!)
“... but the God of my father has been with me.” - Genesis 31:5
Jacob’s attitude about this situation is something else. He knows that Laban’s shifted feelings towards him could possibly lead to trouble (well, mainly also because God did warn the guy to flee immediately). But what’s so great is how he reacts in this situation. He reassures Rachel and Leah that the Lord God, Father of his earthly father, is with him. What Jacob is basically saying (in a more modernized lingo) is: “Hey, your father doesn’t seem to like me anymore and things probably won’t turn out so nicely from here on, but don’t worry because God has been with me all this time.”
But don’t worry because “the God of my father has been with me.” I love that Jacob has that attitude of faith, trusting in the Lord’s promise that He will be with him. He didn’t sit and fret anxiously over the fact that Laban treated him unfairly. Instead, He chooses to follow God’s command and flees Laban’s land with his wives... Why? Because I believe that he trusts where God is leading him. Because he knows that God goes before him.
Isn’t that the attitude we should have when troubles comes our way? Do we sit and let those troubles overwhelm us, and paralyzes us in fear or stress? Or do we choose to stand up to the obstacles in our way and say “God is with me so I will keep on going”? I know that my attitude hasn’t been like this this past week.
Lately, I find myself feeling overwhelmed by many things, specifically school and my future. My mind is constantly filled with anxious thoughts, “what ifs” questions, and numerous hypothetical future plans. These are the obstacles that I’m facing, and it has left me stuck in worry and fear of the unknown. But tonight, the story of Jacob has made me realize that I need an attitude change. Why am I worrying? Why am I fretting over things and trying to take complete control? Why am I so scared? There’s no reason to be because my God goes before me and His promises never fails.
If you continue reading towards the end of Genesis 31, you’ll see that God fulfilled his promise to Jacob. Laban did pursue Jacob, but in the end, Jacob was able to leave the land unharmed and in peace, because God promised that He will be with him.
See?! His promises never fails! It’s like that song by Hillsong Worship called ”In God We Trust”:
“Overwhelmed but I won’t break / Through the battle I will say / Your grace will be enough... We will trust through the unknown / I know You go before... Our hope forever secure in You alone.”
What troubles are you (or will you be) facing today? What’s the attitude that you’re walking with? Is it an attitude of faith or is it an attitude of fear? I pray that you choose to walk with faith, and may you witness God’s wonderful works at hand in your times of trouble!
- MK