Today’s Key Scripture

“O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you.’”

— Genesis 32:9

 

How long has it been since you have found a place alone with God and talked about the promises He has declared to you?

In this passage from Genesis is an encounter that Jacob had with the Lord, and the circumstances were far from pleasant. Jacob was facing the most serious moment of his life. Earlier he had deceived his elderly father, Isaac, by pretending to be his brother Esau, and received his father’s blessing and his brother’s birthright (Genesis 27).

Jacob was filled with remorse for what he had done, and after much time had passed he sent messengers to Esau in an attempt to arrange a meeting. He was ready to offer whatever was necessary “that I may find favor in your sight” (Genesis 32:5).

The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and he also is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him” (verse 6). It was obvious Esau wasn’t arriving to say hello! His bitterness ran deep, and Jacob feared for his life.

Jacob made the best choice possible. He held a prayer meeting.

The results were remarkable, as the brothers were reconciled joyfully.

Whenever life gets hard, stand on His promises.

 

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, I humbly request that Your Holy Spirit’s mighty presence will engulf me even now—today—as I seek to stand upon Your promises! Lord, I thirst for You. I need You. I desire to spend time with You. You know my thoughts and intentions already, so I ask You to draw me closer to You. I open my heart to You. Take control of my life. Let me dwell in sweet intimacy with You every day of my life as I learn to stand and walk in Your precious promises. I ask this in the most precious name of my Savior and my Lord, Jesus Christ, amen.

 

*All Scripture references are NKJV unless otherwise noted.