Scripture:
Genesis 32:9-12 ESV
[9] And Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, that I may do you good,’ [10] I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps. [11] Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children. [12] But you said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’”
Observation:
Jacob was greatly distressed about his brother and with good reason. When he left years ago, it was because Esau had planned to kill him. So he turns to GOD in prayer. Going over the directions GOD had given, reminding HIM that this was HIS idea and that HE said the outcome would be good. He states his position, as “unworthy,” but GOD blessed him anyway. He takes a quick glance back at where he was a few years ago when he had crossed over the river, and the only thing he had was a stick. He had to be looking around at all that GOD had given him in the 20 years he was gone and how faithful GOD was to give him more than enough. I think the shadows of how Jacob had taken advantage of his brother stayed in the back of his mind. Fear was certainly a part of his prayer. Hearing that his brother was approaching quickly. Jacob turns to GOD. Reminding HIM of what HE said.
Application:
Have you ever worried that GOD was not going to do what HE said? Going into a situation wondering if HE was going to pull through. Well, you’re not the only one. I do it all the time. In fact, the more time that passes, the more I wonder if I heard HIM correctly. It seems like the closer Jacob got to an encounter with Esau, the more anxious he got. I think the prayer was a great idea, but I wonder if Jacob would have had less anxiety if he had started his journey with it rather than waiting until the end. I believe prayer should be our first position, not our last resort. I would like to mention how Jacob prayed as well. First, he reminded GOD of the directions he had received. Then he made sure he knew that it was not from anything that he had done but from what GOD had spoken. Bringing to mind how far GOD had brought him, mentioning his concerns, then bringing it back to GOD’S promises. Do you know what GOD spoke to you? Has it been a long time? Are you starting to wonder if you heard HIM correctly? Maybe you should be talking to HIM about it. Maybe it’s been time for prayer, but it hasn’t been on the forefront of your mind. Maybe GOD has already been preparing the way, and because there has been little prayer, there is much anxiety. Philippines 4:6-7 comes to mind when we take all of our stuff to GOD, we can rest in the fact that HE is in control and has peace about it.
Prayer:
Father, let us not forget to communicate with you. It’s the key to our relationship with you. Continue to show us how to pray. So that we can have that peace that your word talks about. Give us answers to our prayers so that we know we are on the path you set our feet on. We want to see you move in these situations that we have been waiting on. Our desire is to obey…..that’s it….. just obey….. let us be as faithful to your promises as you are to us. Your word says you will give us the desire of our hearts. We’ll I want the desire of my heart to line up with your desires for me you have spoken promises to me and all of us let us see those promises come to pass….restore, renew, and rebuild. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen