Goodbyes
Genesis 31
Goodbyes, Genesis 31. You do not have to live to be very old before you discover that life is filled with the necessity of leaving our friends and loved ones especially in our fast-paced world where moving from one end of the country to the other (or even to another country) is not all that uncommon.
The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
Genesis 31:49b, KJV
Goodbyes
Genesis 31
You do not have to live to be very old before you discover that life is filled with the necessity of leaving friends and loved ones especially in our fast-paced world where moving from one end of the country to the other (or even to another country) is not all that uncommon. The hardest ones to leave, are family members: your spouse, your brothers, your sisters, your children, etc. whether they will only be gone for a few days, or it will be months or even years before you see them again.
Because
I have moved several times (I have lived in Wisconsin, Washington,
Texas, Wyoming, and Iowa) I have also noted the difficulty of leaving
dear Christian friends behind, often to never see them again in this
life.
The context of this verse is rather interesting as these were words that Laban spoke to Jacob when Jacob was fleeing from Laban with his wives, sons and daughters, servants, and flocks. The words that Laban spoke were concluded by a warning against Jacob if he should happen to abuse Laban's daughters (Jacob's wives) or marry any other women.
From what we read in the book of Genesis, Laban never did see his daughters or his grandchildren again. Laban, himself, did not worship God, and yet he knew that Jacob did. Therefore, he implored Jacob with this warning in the name of Jacob's God.
Often, in life, we may think that others do not even notice our testimony for the Lord, and yet they see more than they often indicate. Jacob's testimony before Laban was effective enough that Laban knew that Jacob loved and served God.
So, as we are caught in situations where we have goodbyes to say, let us, like Laban, implore that God would watch over us.
The benediction shown above is especially dear. What a blessing
to be able to rest our longings for friends and family into the hands of
God, who alone can grant them safety and me peace. He will care for them
as no other can. If they are Christians, this
absence is only temporary, for we will spend eternity together in the
shelter of our Lord and King.
May God bless you today as you think of friends and loved ones who are absent from you.
The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
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