Ill treatment and injustice have become so common in our day to day work and social life. When we face the brunt of ill treatment and injustice, at times, we lose faith in the system and even question God. We fail to remember that when we live in a fallen world such things are common. But we need to always remember that nothing happens without the knowledge of our God. The thought for our reflection this morning is, “Our God is Above All Circumstances, Ill Treatments, and Injustices Done to Us.”
“You know that I've worked for your father with all my strength, yet your father has cheated me by changing my wages ten times. However, God has not allowed him to harm me”
(Genesis 31:6-7).
Jacob, while explaining to Rachel and Leah the injustices their father had done to him, mentioned how God overturned the circumstances in his favour. In other words, Jacob said that Laban's shrewdness and craftiness could not withstand God's determination to bless Jacob. We understand the following about Jacob's situation and God's control over his circumstances.
1. Jacob was a victim of cheap exploitation.
Jacob said that in spite of he, being a hard worker, his father in law Laban deceived him by not paying what was due to him. He said,
“... I have worked for your father with all my strength, yet your father cheated me by changing my wages ten times”
(Genesis 31:6, 7a).
While talking about God's intervention, Jacob said,
“However, God has not allowed him to harm me.”
(Genesis 31:7b)
That reveals that God was in control of the circumstances. Do we forget that God is in control of our circumstances when we are cheated or not paid well or not appreciated for our good work or exploited by others?
2. Jacob was a victim of mean fraudulent tactics.
Laban tried to keep the best of the cattle for himself. But God was in complete control of what kind of young ones the animals gave birth to. Jacob explained God's ability to be above circumstances in this manner:
“If he (Laban) said, "The speckled ones will be your wages,' then all the flocks gave birth to speckled young; and if he said, "The streaked ones will be your wages," then all the flocks bore more streaked young. So God has taken away your father's livestock and has given them to me”
(Genesis 31:8-9).
Do we often forget that God is capable of protecting us from falling as victims to the fraudulent tactics of others?
Let us always remember that whenever we are unjustly treated, we will be powerfully protected by our God. Let's pray:
“Dear Lord, you alone know how sometimes I have felt as if I have been exploited, unjustly treated and have become a victim of fraudulent tactics. But I believe that just as you protected Jacob from being harmed by Laban, you would protect me too. I praise you for you are above all circumstances, injustice and ill-treatments done to me. I know that reward for my hard work and sincerity comes from you alone. Give me the grace and wisdom to handle the situations when others try to exploit ordeceive or ill treat me.
In Jesus' name!... Amen”