BIBLICAL PRAYERS TO LIFE’S QUESTIONS

“I Have Seen”

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When I get to heaven I hope to have answers to a few questions. One question that has concerned me most of my life is this: Since God sees all that is happening, the good and the bad and since He’s all-powerful, why does He allow the bad? I know; it’s been debated for over three thousand years. I can recite the theological answers. Yet when I’m in the midst of the choices that human beings make that wreck my life, the theological explanations do not comfort me. What about you?

This story between Jacob and Laban is one that demonstrates how God sees and responds. Jacob was a runaway son and brother who had lied and cheated to get the birthright and blessing. His brother wanted to kill him. He ran to Laban’s house where he worked for to earn Laban’s daughters, servant’s and livestock, but Laban tried many times to cheat him. In Genesis 31 God is encouraging Jacob to leave with his family and possessions, but Jacob was afraid of Laban. (Perhaps Jacob is not sure if God is aware of what’s going .) So God states, “I have seen all that Laban is doing to you” (Gen. 31:12b). God lays out a plan for Jacob which allows him to leave with his family and possessions without getting into a fight with Laban.

God sees what Laban is doing. Laban could represent others who are trying to hurt you. Laban could be you trying to hurt others. God sees. And He wants to make it right. He’s full of mercy and lovingkindness and slow to anger. Trust Him today.

As you read the Bible passages this week, prayerfully ask yourself these three questions:

1- What does it say? (Observation)

2- What does it mean? (Interpretation)

3- What does it mean for me? (Application)

Remember, the God who sees you wants you to see Him. See Him on the cross dying for our sins. See Him being raised from the dead. See Him at the right hand of glory. See yourself in Him. Repent (turn away from sin to God) and He’ll be right there to bless you.

(Genesis 16 is another example of God seeing us.)