People sometimes take advantage of us. We may wonder: “Is anybody watching?” Years ago, I studied at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky sharing in a leadership seminar with other pastors. Ken Weuerlein and John Kieschnick were in my small group. In the cafeteria on a fruit table was a sign: “Take only one piece of fruit. God is watching!” A little further up the line, someone had scrawled a makeshift sign on the dessert table: “Take all the cookies you want. God is back, watching the fruit table.”
Family relationships are often difficult. Imagine if your father-in-law were your employer. Jacob worked for Laban for fourteen years to marry his daughters. Then he worked an additional six years acquiring his own flock. Knowing Laban, he was a harsh taskmaster. As Jacob’s wealth grew, Laban’s sons accused Jacob of stealing from their dad. God appeared to Jacob and told him to go back to Bethel where he had encountered God (31:13). So Jacob took his wives, children, and flocks and ran away from Laban. When Laban found out, he brought armed men and tracked his son-in-law and family down.
What prevented violence? Jacob complained that Laban had mistreated him, but God had seen and provided for him. These two words, “But God . . .” may help us today. People are unkind. But God . . . We may be mistreated by others. But God . . . Not only did Jacob appeal to God, but God appeared to Laban and told him to leave Jacob alone.
In a conversation with friends, one man who does not believe in God, started several sentences with, “Your God . . .” One of my friends wisely observed, “There is only one God. My God is your God.” Jacob’s God was Laban’s God is our God. He watches over our relationships. The God of Abraham, the Fear of Isaac, Jacob’s God at Bethel is our God. The world may treat us unkindly, but God is watching over us. This should factor into all of our decisions today and every day.
