God's hand of protection

I'm going to pick back up some what from my previous post, and move forward with Esau and Jacob.

Jacob was sent to Laban, Rebekah's brother to find a wife from their own tribe and blood line, instead of wedding one of the Canaanite women. Jacob worked 14 years for the marriages to Leah and Rachel, as well as an additional 6 years to build his own flock and herds. I'm in Genesis 31 picking up where Jacob is ready to return to his own homeland. I love verse 6-7: "You know that I have served your father with all my strength, yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me." Remember Jacob's name means "he cheats" and even though Laban didn't do well by Jacob, the same is very well true for Jacob towards Laban. What is important here to me this morning is that God did not permit Laban to harm Jacob.

You and I need to stand firm on the promises of God, that when we are in the midst of struggles and trials I believe if we are true to God, He will also place His hand of protection upon us. We are His and He loves us so much! God will not permit harm to come upon us as well.

Perhaps you may be like me and have had a similar situation like Esau and Jacob. Sibling rivalry. Perhaps coming from our parents as they choose a favorite, often times I believe this happens and it is very obvious, other times simply our own personality causes that rivalry. Do you remember that Esau came to despise Jacob and his birthright after selling it for a little bowl of stew? What is so comforting to me is that after 20 years Jacob has the desire to return to Esau. Blood is thicker than water comes to my mind. As Jacob prepares for his home coming, I believe that God softened both Jacob and Esau's hearts in those years of separation. He prepared them and we are told that Jacob sends a gift ahead for Esau, a very generous gift.

I am picking up in Genesis 33:4 "But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept." Esau RAN to meet Jacob and together they wept. No words had to be spoken, not I'm sorry, no you did this or that, simply....embraced, kissed and wept.

Father God, I truly pray that we would be found allowing You to soften our hearts to accept a family member that has returned or that we would return to our family. That we would RUN, KISS, and EMBRACE being humbled and once again connecting to family; WEEPING with joy over the reunion. To truly let the past stay in the past and live for THIS DAY. And like Jacob we would say to our loved one, "For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me." *Gen 33:10b* Father, thank You for accepting us may we remember this and accept others as well. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

With deep love and seeking here at Higher Grounds,
Yolanda