Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 31:22-32.
“When it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob had fled, then he took his kinsmen with him and pursued him a distance of seven days’ journey, and he overtook him in the hill country of Gilead. God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream of the night and said to him, “Be careful that you do not speak to Jacob either good or bad.”
Laban caught up with Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country, and Laban with his kinsmen camped in the hill country of Gilead. Then Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done by deceiving me and carrying away my daughters like captives of the sword? Why did you flee secretly and deceive me, and did not tell me so that I might have sent you away with joy and with songs, with timbrel and with lyre; and did not allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters? Now you have done foolishly. It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful not to speak either good or bad to Jacob.’ Now you have indeed gone away because you longed greatly for your father’s house; but why did you steal my gods?” Then Jacob replied to Laban, “Because I was afraid, for I thought that you would take your daughters from me by force. The one with whom you find your gods shall not live; in the presence of our kinsmen point out what is yours among my belongings and take it for yourself.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.” Genesis 31:22-32.
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God protected Jacob, and Jacob was aware of God’s protection. Jacob confessed to his wives, Leah and Rachel in the Scripture that we covered yesterday: “Yet your father (Laban) has cheated me and changed my wages ten times; however, God did not allow him to hurt me.” Genesis 31:7.
And yet, we read in today’s Scripture that Jacob was afraid and was also ignorant of who stole Laban’s gods. “Then Jacob replied to Laban, “Because I was afraid, for I thought that you would take your daughters from me by force.” Verse 31. “… For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.” Verse 32.
We also remember Jacob’s deceits with the last one being the primary cause of Laban’s displeasure. “And Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was fleeing.” Genesis 31:20.
But, God still protected Jacob through a dream. “God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream of the night and said to him, “Be careful that you do not speak to Jacob either good or bad.” Verse 24.
Here are two lessons that we can gain from today’s Scripture.
First, God still is faithful and protects us, even bearing our weaknesses, despite our wavering faith, fear, deceits, and ignorance.
“And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.
Second, as God shows mercy to us, we should also show mercy to others even though they may also be weak in faith.
“Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.” Romans 14:1.
“Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.” Romans 15:1-2.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 