Under The Shield of God

God did not allow him to hurt me.

Genesis 31:7

Uncle Laban has been using his authority and position to manipulate and change the rules on Jacob since Jacob moved to town. Jacob has discovered that God’s continual blessing of him, no matter what Laban does, has brewed some jealousies among Laban and Laban’s sons.

Depending on the condition of the heart, sometimes others respond to God’s blessings upon us with bitterness and hardness. This has been seen all through history; nations have enjoyed the presence of the blessing of God on His people. They have loved how it grew their kingdom, built their wealth, and provided them with their needs and luxuries. They have enjoyed the products developed and the hand of help in times of need, yet somehow, so many of their hearts have been moved to the jealousy of Laban and his sons.

In my opinion, this has never been more greatly seen in our time than in WWII through the Nazi regime. How easily Hitler stirred his people to hatred of the Jews still astounds me today.

The enemy of our souls knows hate, he knows lies, and he knows evil jealousy. Those who turn a deaf ear to the Word of God are easily stirred by the lies of the serpent of old. He stirs hate against the people of God, both Jew and Christian.

The Lord appears to Jacob and tells him to return home and He would be with him. Jacob is beginning to understand the power of his God for himself. He will learn more and more throughout his years, just as his fathers did. Jacob is getting a glimpse at the sovereignty of God; this God that promised he would be with him.

Jacob knows the power and might of the God of his fathers. He also knows that it is only by the hand of God that he has been protected from Laban and his sons. If God so protected Jacob, He will also protect us.

In Genesis 15:1, God told Abraham, “I am a shield to you”—a shield protects. We can know without any doubts that if God has called us to a place, He will protect us. “As for God, His way is blameless; the word of the Lord is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him” (Psalm 18:30).

No one can touch us unless God has allowed it for the sake of His perfect will.

In John 7:30 we read, “So they were seeking to seize Him; and no man laid his hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come.” How many times those who hated Jesus tried to kill Him, but they could not touch Him because it was not His time.

We see this truth illustrated again and again through the pages of the New Testament. We read in the book of Acts about the sufferings of Paul. How many times were attempts made on his life but they would not succeed because God was protecting him? We read of a time on the sea when a great storm arose but the whole crew was saved as they entered under the shield of God with Paul, His servant (Acts 27:24).

My precious one, God has not changed. Let us never forget that His name is a strong tower and when the righteous run in, they are safe (Proverbs 18:10).

Oh Father,

You are my God! You are with me wherever I go. Oh, that I would always be in the center of Your will. Help me, Father, to stay on the path that You have laid out for me. Forgive me for my lack of faith. I have no reason to fear and no reason to doubt, for I have You, the Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe, dwelling within me. For what reason should I ever fear? “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).
In You, my Jesus, there is even no fear of death. For You have given me victory over this enemy called death (1 Corinthians 15:57), and all things short of death You will give me the strength to endure. For You are my God and Your grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9).

My Jesus, it is in Your name I pray,

Amen.