Good day dear friends,
Here is our study guide for today: Tuesday: For today, find and please read Genesis 31, 32, and 33. Do you see a connection between Jacob’s apprehension at the coming meeting between himself and his brother Esau and the experience he had with the Divine Stranger?
You know the feeling. You have to go to a place where you know someone you've talked bad about is going to be there and you know you have to face them. You feel sick. You don't want to go. But you have to. Such was the case of Jacob and his having to once again see his brother Esau. Jacob had cheated Esau out of his birthright and had left in fear for his life. Yet, God had blessed him even while putting up with a dishonest uncle/father-in-law. The time came when God told him, now you can return home with your family. But that meant that he would have to once again come face-to-face with Easu and that made him very afraid. The night before his encounter with his brother, Jacob was visited by the Divine Stranger, a "man" who wrestled with Jacob all during the night. For us, we can say we wrestle with the fear of having to have those encounters we don't want to have, but in Jacob's case, he found he had been wrestling with God himself and now has his name changed from Jacob to Israel and receives a blessing from God.
Was there a connection? Of course. Jacob needed to have that reassurance that he was not alone, that God was with him, and that no matter what happened the next day, he was already blessed. The meeting went better than he could have dreamed. Instead of meeting his end, which surely he deserved, he met a brother who still loved him and wept at the reconcilation that took place between them. It came about because both trusted God.
What do you fear in your life today? What have you done against someone that keeps you from being free to enjoy life and going about the way God would have you go? Whatever it is, turn it over to God!
PRAYER: Loving God, I turn over to you the matter that is troubling me and keeping me from enjoying life to the fullest. Come into my heart and speak to me and help me to know that You are always with me. Help me to ask forgiveness from those whom I've offended, and help me to show mercy to those who have sinned against me. I pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.
Here is our study guide for today: Tuesday: For today, find and please read Genesis 31, 32, and 33. Do you see a connection between Jacob’s apprehension at the coming meeting between himself and his brother Esau and the experience he had with the Divine Stranger?
You know the feeling. You have to go to a place where you know someone you've talked bad about is going to be there and you know you have to face them. You feel sick. You don't want to go. But you have to. Such was the case of Jacob and his having to once again see his brother Esau. Jacob had cheated Esau out of his birthright and had left in fear for his life. Yet, God had blessed him even while putting up with a dishonest uncle/father-in-law. The time came when God told him, now you can return home with your family. But that meant that he would have to once again come face-to-face with Easu and that made him very afraid. The night before his encounter with his brother, Jacob was visited by the Divine Stranger, a "man" who wrestled with Jacob all during the night. For us, we can say we wrestle with the fear of having to have those encounters we don't want to have, but in Jacob's case, he found he had been wrestling with God himself and now has his name changed from Jacob to Israel and receives a blessing from God.
Was there a connection? Of course. Jacob needed to have that reassurance that he was not alone, that God was with him, and that no matter what happened the next day, he was already blessed. The meeting went better than he could have dreamed. Instead of meeting his end, which surely he deserved, he met a brother who still loved him and wept at the reconcilation that took place between them. It came about because both trusted God.
What do you fear in your life today? What have you done against someone that keeps you from being free to enjoy life and going about the way God would have you go? Whatever it is, turn it over to God!
PRAYER: Loving God, I turn over to you the matter that is troubling me and keeping me from enjoying life to the fullest. Come into my heart and speak to me and help me to know that You are always with me. Help me to ask forgiveness from those whom I've offended, and help me to show mercy to those who have sinned against me. I pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.
