Genesis 32:1-21 “Preparing to Meet Esau”

“O LORD, please rescue me from the hand of my brother, Esau. I am afraid that he is coming to attack me, along with my wives and children.”
Genesis 32:11 (NLT)

There are times of desperation in our lives when we don’t know what to do, and we feel there is no way of escape. If there weren’t such times, probably many of us would never reach out to God. Jacob had gotten by with his own ingenuity. When leaving his Uncle Laban, he worked out a plan to sneak away while Laban was shearing his sheep. But now he was in a situation that was beyond his control. Esau was coming to meet him with an army of 400 men! Considering that the last time Jacob saw Esau, Esau wanted to kill him, this could not be a good sign! Jacob had no place else to turn, so he turned to the LORD.

Where do we turn when we are in trouble? Who do we reach out to? A family member? A friend? A lawyer? Our heavenly Father wants us to cry out to Him. He is able to protect us and give us the wisdom and help that we need.

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”
Psalm 50:15 (NKJV)

The one thing Jacob had going for him is that the LORD had promised him that if he went back to his country and to his family that God would treat him well and multiply his descendants. In his prayer, Jacob reminded the LORD of this promise.

When we pray, it is important for us to remember God’s promises. These are the substance of our faith. Holding fast to God’s promises enables us to pray with confidence. God will always keep His Word!

Maybe you are in a desperate situation today. You have bills that are due, and you don’t know where the money is coming from to pay them. Possibly you have been diagnosed with a disease, and you don’t know what the outcome will be. Perhaps a loved one has strayed from the Lord, and you don’t know how to bring them back. The Lord invites us to cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). And when He delivers you, remember to give Him the glory!