“Yet your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not allow him to hurt me.”
Genesis 31:7

The road of life has many twists and turns. At times, it may even feel like a roller coaster. This was certainly Jacob’s experience. Much of his “ups and downs” were of his own making. His name meant supplanter or deceiver. Even from the womb, when he grasped his brother’s heel, he seemed intent on conniving his way forward.

Jacob lived much of his life through deception. He tricked his brother Esau out of his birthright (Gen. 25:29–34). He deceived his father Isaac to obtain the blessing of the firstborn (Gen. 27). No wonder he had to flee for his life from Esau’s wrath (Gen. 27:41–46). Yet in Genesis 28, Jacob encountered the Lord in a way that began to change his life. Later, when he met Laban’s family, he quickly fell in love with Rachel and agreed to work seven years to marry her. But Rachel’s father Laban deceived Jacob, substituting Leah for Rachel (Gen. 29). Jacob’s past had caught up with him—he was reaping what he had sown.

By the time we arrive at today’s verse, Jacob is once again on the run. This time, however, he was following the Lord’s instruction to return home. In speaking with Rachel, he admitted that her father was against him, but then added: “But God did not allow him to hurt me.” Jacob was beginning to understand that God is sovereign and at work in his life.

This truth is a reminder for us as well. No matter what is happening in our lives, nothing is outside of God’s control. He has a divine plan, and nothing can thwart it! Paul expressed this same confidence when he wrote:

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Rom. 8:31–35).

In other words: “But God!”

Anchor For Today:
God is sovereign over every situation of life.