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Thursday, January 11, 2018

A Loving Invitation {Genesis 31:1-36:43}



For so many years Jacob was a “supplanter” , someone who would always have his way. He became a successful man like many we would actually know, but he lacked of something no money could buy: the Peace of God.  Jacob was about to meet his brother and the angels of God appeared to Jacob, to encourage him with the assurance of the Divine protection, (32:1-2). This encouraged him to carefully plan meeting his brother… his enemy, but still he was consumed by fear! (32:2-8). Would this meeting be peaceful?

Jacob then prays with thankful acknowledgment of undeserved favors; he humbly confessed his unworthiness, his fears and distress!  He was finally seeking God with all his being! He was confessing with faith God’s promises to him: “ 12 And You [Lord] said, ‘I will certainly make you prosper and make your descendants as [numerous as] the sand of the sea, which is too great to be counted.’”   (32:9-12) For a while this prayer seemed to calm him a bit, then he continued to plan the meeting with Esau by sending  a great present to him: “… For he said [to himself], “I will try to appease him with the gift that is going ahead of me. Then afterward I will see him; perhaps he will accept and forgive me.” 21 So the gift [of the herds of livestock] went on ahead of him, and he himself spent that night back in the camp.” (32:13-21) Then he sends his wives, children and servants ahead of him and is left alone.

 “A great while before day, Jacob being alone, more fully spread his fears before God in prayer. While thus employed, One in the likeness of a man wrestled with him. When the spirit helpeth our infirmities, and our earnest and vast desires can scarcely find words to utter them, and we still mean more than we can express, then prayer is indeed wrestling with God. However tried or discouraged, we shall prevail; and prevailing with Him in prayer, we shall prevail against all enemies that strive with us. Nothing requires more vigor and unceasing exertion than wrestling. It is an emblem of the true spirit of faith and prayer. Those who would have the blessing of Christ, must resolve to take no denial. The fervent prayer is the effectual prayer. “  M. Henry

Jacob was blessed, and His name was changed from, Jacob =“supplanter” to Israel= “a prince with God”

Jacob gives a new name to the place. He calls it Peniel, “the face of God, “because there he had seen the appearance of God, and obtained the favor of God! (32:30-31)

What about you? Are you anxious about a particular situation in your life? Are you feeling distressed, weary? Let me remind you of a loving invitation from our Heavenly Father to you:

1 Chronicles 16:11 (AMP)
10 Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.11 Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually [longing to be in His presence].

Psalm 27:8 (AMP)
When You said, “Seek My face [in prayer, require My presence as your greatest need],” my heart said to You,“Your face, O Lord, I will seek [on the authority of Your word].”

Amos 5:4(AMP )For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel,
“Seek Me [search diligently for Me and regard Me as more essential than food] so that you may live.

Jesus said:  Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation].” (Matt. 11:28)
We must remember: “If God is for us, who is against us?” If He is for us, we have the victory! 

Neither human nor demonic opposition can thwart the purposes of our sovereign God (Romans 8:31-39). Let us Praise Him as we wait on that which God has promised to do! Let us take a lesson from Jacob and hold fast to the One who has promised to never let us go!

Blessings!
Mari