Today’s Devotion
Topic: The God of Bethel (Final Part)
Text: Genesis 31: 13a
“I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me.” Amen.
Jacob, having explained to his wives how he felt about their father’s ill treatment of him, also went ahead to inform them that the Lord appeared to him to return to his own father’s land and they agreed to go with him. They said to their husband, “do whatever God has told you.” (Gen 31: 16b)
So Jacob put his children and his wives on camels, and he drove all his livestock ahead of him, along with all the goods he had accumulated in Paddan Aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.
When Laban had gone to shear his sheep, Rachel stole her father’s household gods. Moreover, Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him he was running away. So he fled with all he had, crossed the Euphrates River, and headed for the hill country of Gilead.
On the third day, Laban was told that Jacob had fled. Taking his relatives with him, he pursued Jacob for seven days and caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead. Then God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”
Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead when Laban overtook him, and Laban and his relatives camped there too. Then Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done? You’ve deceived me, and you’ve carried off my daughters like captives in war. Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn’t you tell me, so I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of timbrels and harps? You didn’t even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters goodbye. You have done a foolish thing. I have the power to harm you; but last night the God of your father said to me, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’” (Gen 31: 17- 29). Hallelujah!
Beloved, blessed be the Lord who does not only watch over His Word in our lives to perform, but also has the ability to enter the minds of those plotting evil against us and BLOCK THOSE FOUL THOUGHTS EVEN BEFORE THEY BECOME ACTIONS. He appeared to Laban and warned him not to even attempt a word against Jacob; whether good or bad.
Jacob had endured so much and waited patiently for the Lord’s appointed time. His method of running away instead of informing Laban first may be wrong but can never negate the fact that the time for his deliverance had come, and his REDEEMER WAS NOT GIVING LABAN THE SLIGHTEST CHANCE TO INTIMIDATE HIM AS HE PREVIOUSLY COULD.
May Jehovah rebuke every mind plotting evil against you in Jesus mighty name! Those who feel they have a case with you can seek common platform for discussion, but to see themselves as ‘having the power to harm you’ is an error.
Begin to pray therefore. Bring to the obedience of Christ anyone who sees themselves as having the power to harm you, especially as you take a step of faith in accordance with instructions received from the Lord. Your life is not your own; you belong to Jesus (if you are born again).
Therefore, no weapon fashioned against your life shall prosper. And every tongue that shall rise against you in judgement, you shall condemn. THIS IS THE HERITAGE OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD; THOSE WHOSE RIGHTEOUSNESS IS OF GOD (Is 54: 17). HE IS OUR GOD OF BETHEL; He promises to be with us throughout our journey. He knows the way He takes, let us learn therefore, to walk with Him.
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