Never Out of Sight

 Write From My Heart

Genesis 31:45-50 (NIV) So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. He said to his relatives, “Gather some stones.” So they took stones and piled them in a heap, and they ate there by the heap. Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, and Jacob called it Galeed.  Laban said, “This heap is a witness between you and me today.” That is why it was called Galeed. It was also called Mizpah, because he said, “May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other…even though no one is with us, remember that God is a witness between you and me.”

            The first 44 verses of Genesis 31 provide the details of Jacob’s departure from Laban. If you have not read this passage lately I would encourage you to take the time becoming familiar with the background leading up to this event.

            I am fascinated with several details in this story, namely, that Jacob didn’t build the pillar by himself—he had help from relatives and most likely from both sides of the family—his and Laban’s. The monument stood as a witness between both sides of the family and this leads me to believe that both sides of the family participated in the building process. It was a group effort. It reminds me simply of how many times we try to “go it alone” when the reality is there are others who would willing help us if only we would ask. Jacob asked. Help was provided.

            Another detail of interest to me is the variety of names used. Each name conveyed similar meanings but from the perspective of different languages. For me this is a simple indication that everyone was well aware of the purpose for which this pillar was built. No excuses. No one could claim they didn’t know or weren’t aware. It reminds me how often we feign ignorance when the reality is that we know better. No excuses.

            Finally, the Mizpah itself doesn’t seem to be as much of a cordial parting as it is a warning. I am convinced that both Jacob and Laban held some regrets about their own actions toward each other. Knowing they would most likely never see one another again it was time to reconcile in the sight of God. Today this remains as a good reminder for us—others may not see what we are doing but our actions are never hidden from God. For that matter, neither are our thoughts.

            Job understood this fact—we may not be able to see God, but he always sees us.

Job 23:8-10 and 28:24 (NIV) But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him. When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him. But he knows the way that I take… [and] …for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.

            I find great comfort in the words of David the Psalmist:

Psalm 139:7-10 (NIV) Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my be in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

            Rather than viewing this as a negative—that God is always hovering nearby to zap us every time we make a mistake; I view this as a positive—that God is ever near, ready to catch us when we fall. We may not always feel God’s presence, but he is always there and he is never more than a whispered prayer away.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Thank you for the promise of your continued presence in our lives. Thank you for the availability of help from others when we need it most. Thank you that you watch over us, not only guiding us away from wrongful choices, but catching us when we fall. We join the Psalmist when we plead, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting, (Psalm 139:23-24, NIV).

            In the name of Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotional Never Out of Sight appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com