So many are trapped in jobs, relationships and situations
they know the ship had sailed, but for the feelings they feel that they owe the
person(s) they are with. The aggressors understand this and exploit the
situation extensively. The victims are trapped and some have erroneously come
to the conclusion that it is their lot to be where they are despite the fact
that they draw no satisfaction or benefits from the situation. I remembered
sometime ago, a dear sister approached me about a similar situation at her
place of work. She felt she owed her boss; despite the injustice and frustrations
she remained. This situation was slowly eating away at her physical and
spiritual well-being on a daily basis. After she finished, the question that
readily came to my mind for her was: ‘What is the Lord saying about the
situation you are in?’ She was at a loss as she felt the Lord is aware and
should understand whatever decision she chooses to take. As great as this
thought may sound, it is very wrong and dangerous to walk in assumptions when
it comes to the mind of God concerning a matter. The cost of such misadventure
is always high, ask the children of Israel when they go to war with the
assumption that God is with them or Mary and Joseph that went on a day’s
journey assuming that Jesus was in their party. Friend, when faced with the
storms of life, once Jesus Christ is in your boat be rest assured that it will
not sink but will surely arrive at your desired harbor.
Jacob had a similar experience.
He had worked with his father-in-law: “For
20 years I have worked in your household – 14years for your two daughters and
six years for your flocks – and you have changed my wages 10 times”
(Genesis 31: 41). For 20 years, Laban, Jacob’s father-in-law cheated and
deceived him; used him in any capacity that he saw fit. However, the Lord saw
the injustice and prospered Jacob. Jacob, on his own, did not decide to leave. I
am sure the thought must have crossed his mind severally especially as he was
cheated continually concerning his wages. I can bet you that the chief reason
for his remaining was the fear he had for the lives and welfare of his wives and
children. However, when the fullness of time came, he left! Please note that
everything about us has been written before we were a day old. It then means,
to accurately access this information for a successful journey on earth devoid
of frustrations, we need to connect with our Creator on a personal basis (Psalm
139:16). Thus, it is not the aggressor we look to for relief but to our Lord
and Possessor – Jesus Christ! The enemy deludes people by deceiving them that
he has the power to lock them up in a terrible situation and throw away the
key. That is a terrible lie! When the time for Jacob came to leave the land,
God Himself came to him and said: “I am
the God of Bethel, where you poured oil on the stone marker and made a solemn
vow to Me. Get up, leave this land and
return to your native land” (Genesis 31:13). Knowing the wickedness in
the hearts of people, God equally told Laban, when he rose to pursue Jacob with
an evil intent in his heart: “On the
third day Laban was told that Jacob had fled…But God came to Laban the Aramean
in a dream at night. ‘Watch yourself!’ God warned him. ‘Don’t say anything to
Jacob, either good or bad’” (Genesis 31:22-24). By so doing God deflated
the sails of Laban and made him toothless and powerless against Jacob.
Friend,
you may be justly frustrated about the situation you are in right now, don’t just pick
up and leave, please wait and seek God’s face as to what to do. God is aware of
the situation you are in and a timeline had been set for you. If Jacob had left
sooner or later than the time set for him, all his sufferings would have been
in vain and he would have probably lost all that he had worked for. Friend, God
is not dead, He is alive and still speaks. Listen attentively to His
instructions and carry them out completely; then watch Him deal decisively with
every Laban that had cheated, deceived, shortchanged or maltreated you as He
renders them toothless and powerless in Jesus Christ name. And you will walk
out of it with your head held high to the glory of God and the defeat of
darkness. God bless you.
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