God is Your ProtectorSpeaker: Sis. Stella Dhinakaran Gist: Are you dismayed that you are all alone, with no one to be mindful of you? Are you afraid of your enemies who rise against you? Fear not for God is watchful over you. He will take full control over you and guard your way. Just as an eagle spreads its mighty wings over its young ones, taking them up, carrying them on its mighty and strong wings, the Almighty Lord also shielded Jacob. The Lord God was with Jacob while he was with his Uncle Laban. He guarded him as the apple of His eye and showered on him all the material blessings.
The Lord promises you today, "He who touches you touches the apple of His eye." (Zechariah 2:8)
When Laban understood that Jacob was responsible for all his blessings, he was reluctant to let him go. The Lord said to Jacob, "Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you" (Genesis 31:3). Accordingly Jacob set out with his family, carrying with him all the possessions which he had acquired in Padan Aram. When Laban came pursuing Jacob, the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said to him, "Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad" (Genesis 31:24). And so Laban returned home without doing any harm to Jacob.
On his way, Jacob had to meet his brother Esau and sent messengers before him, seeking favour in his sight. They came back and reported to Jacob that Esau was coming to meet him with four hundred of his men, Jacob was greatly troubled and was afraid. Because God was with Jacob, He appeased Esau towards his brother Jacob.
"But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept." (Genesis 33:4)
Dear friend, are you dismayed that you are all alone, no one to be mindful of you, and that your enemies rise against you and there is no one to fight for you? Fear not! The God who was watchful over Jacob is watchful over you as well. He will take charge of you and make all those who rise against you get reconciled with you.
There were three things which Jacob did to appropriate the Lord's blessings. He humbled himself saying, "I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies" (Genesis 32:10). He held fast to the Lord's promise to him, "I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude" (Genesis 32:12).
Dear friend, let us also humble ourselves and offer Him our grateful thanks. Let us hold fast to the promises He has given to us. Let us make known to Him all our needs.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6)
When Apostle Paul pleaded with the Lord three times that the 'thorn in the flesh' given to him, causing him severe pain amidst various trials and tribulations might depart from him, the Lord strengthened him saying, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." St.Paul, therefore went on to say, "I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
On 21st May 1986, we met a deadly car accident and lost our beloved daughter Angel. My husband and I sustained severe injuries and both the hands of my husband were fractured. The doctors told my son, "Paul, hereafter your father will not be able raise his hands as before." We looked up to Jesus alone as our only hope and His grace strengthened us. In a few days, He gave us both perfect healing and enabled us to resume our ministry.
Dear friend, are you also dismayed in bereavement, having lost your dear ones? Do you feel forsaken like Jaco? Remember that the God of Jacob is your Lord. He is alive even today. The Lord who promised His people, "Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been upheld by Me from birth, who have been carried from the womb. Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you" (Isaiah 46:3,4). He will lead you, as He led Jacob. Seek Him in prayer and become bound to Him. Ask the Lord to fill you with the Holy Spirit and follow the ways which He may lead you. He will hide you beneath His mighty and strong wings. He will guard you against all evil. Let not your heart be troubled!
Prayer:
Loving gracious Father,
Many a time, loneliness and fear torment me. There is no one to love or care for me. My enemies rise against me and there is no one to fight for me. You alone are my shield, fortress and protector. Deliver me from all evils and help me to grow steadfast in faith, love and hope. Fill me with the fruits of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus mighty name, I pray.
Amen. |