God Often Makes Others Afraid Of Us

When it was told to Laban on the third day that Jacob had fled, he took his kinsmen with him and pursued him for seven days and followed close after him into the hill country of Gilead. But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream by night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.” Genesis 31:22-24

How does God protect us if we are His child? He nudges us to take a different route, buy a different house, and even make a different friend. He’ll send angels to stand guard to keep us from harm. What’s little known is how God directly warns our enemies to stay away from us. 

Is this an insurance policy to escape suffering?  Walking prudently does protect us but we are not spared pain 100% of the time. Jesus wasn’t always delivered from it. Like Him, we have enemies. But here’s the thing ~ God has a destiny for each of us, a purpose for which we were born, and He will take us safely through all He has ordained for us to do.  Though Jesus’ life was threatened on many occasions, his path to Calvary was protected. 

God came to Laban in his own Aramean tongue and told him what to say to Jacob. He came to a heathen King Abimelech to keep him from touching Sarah, Abraham’s wife. He also spoke to Balaam to prevent him from cursing the children of Israel. I can be comforted that spiritual enemies are on God’s leash.  That doesn’t mean I can abandon prayer and watchfulness. Earth is a battlefield and wounds are inflicted.  Like Jesus, I still pray for protection. (‘Deliver us from evil.’)  And, I also pray for the wisdom to know where to go and whom to trust. 

The safest child of God is an obedient one. I shouldn’t expect God’s protection if I’ve taken a self-willed detour. God made it clear from the beginning. ‘Obey me, and you’ll be blessed. Disobey me, and you’ll be led into captivity.’ 

It’s humbling to think about all the times you have restrained my enemies.   Amen