“Then the Angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, ‘Jacob.’ And I said, ‘Here I am. ‘”And He said, ‘Lift your eyes now and see, all the rams which leap on the flocks are streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted; for I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you.” Gen 31:12 (NIV)
Jacob was in a bind. He was working for an uncle who was determined to get rich off his hard labour, but not remunerate him appropriately or give heed to his aspirations. Jacob’s uncle, Laban, only wanted to use his nephew for his own end without giving a thought to what Jacob might want to do with his life. Laban was so unscrupulous he even duped his trusting nephew into marrying his elder daughter Leah after the latter had laboured seven long years for the younger and more beautiful Rachel.
Jacob realised that he had to do something to escape his open prison characterised by the intimidating influence and negative impact of his father-in-law’s hold on his life. So, he earnestly cried out to the God with whom he was in a covenant relationship. God’s response to Jacob’s entreaties was to show him the vision narrated above as the solution to his problem.
The man Laban falls into the category of those who are either actively or by sheer neglect working to harm our interest. Such powerful people in positions of authority over us, actively seek to block our progress and thus work to keep our dreams and aspirations in check, either out of prejudice or primarily for selfish reasons to achieve their own end. So, if you have a Laban in firm control of your life and destiny, the only viable option open to you is to outwit him on your knees as you receive your Heavenly Father’s liberating ideas, which your Laban, however deft and cunning, will never be able to handle. When you do exactly as God tells you, you will as a consequence begin to prosper right under your Laban’s nose. The bible says that “For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another. Ps 75:6-7 (NKJ)
God proclaims in Deuteronomy 8:18 that “He is the One who gives you the power to prosper so that He might confirm His covenant with you”. So, anyone who negates this power or hinders your ability to work towards achieving this end is challenging God’s covenant with you and invariably working against God’s interest. In this context, a challenge against you is a challenge against the God with whom you are in league and with whom you have a common interest. So, call on God today and enlist His help and you shall be free to prosper in whatever He has called you to do.
Therefore, as you go about your business today, stir up your spirit by challenging God to move on your behalf as you stand on His promise, which states that “For the sceptre of wickedness shall not rest upon the land of the righteous, so that the righteous will not put forth their hands to do wrong.” Ps 125:3 (NAU)
Prayer:
Lord, your word says that you delight in the prosperity of your people. Please bless the works of my hand and help me fulfil the potential you have placed in my life. Glorify your name in my life so that I can bless others with that with which you have blessed me. Amen