Genesis Chapter 32: Verses 6-12 (NLT)
After delivering the message, the messengers returned to Jacob and reported, “We met your brother, Esau, and he is already on his way to meet you—with an army of 400 men!”Jacob was terrified at the news. He divided his household, along with the flocks and herds and camels, into two groups. He thought, “If Esau meets one group and attacks it, perhaps the other group can escape.”
Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my grandfather Abraham, and God of my father, Isaac—O Lord, you told me, ‘Return to your own land and to your relatives.’ And you promised me, ‘I will treat you kindly.’ I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness you have shown to me, your servant. When I left home and crossed the Jordan River, I owned nothing except a walking stick. Now my household fills two large camps! 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. But you promised me, ‘I will surely treat you kindly, and I will multiply your descendants until they become as numerous as the sands along the seashore—too many to count.’”
Jacob panicked when he heard that his brother was on his way to meet him with 400 men. After all they had not parted well and he had cheated his brother. Twenty years had passed with no contact between them, so he assumed the worst. But he did have the presence of mind to come before God and pray. In his prayer he reminded God, and probably himself of the promises God had made to him. God didn’t need reminding, but perhaps remembering those words brought courage and strength to Jacob.
When we are facing difficulties, or even if things look like they are going to be hard, remembering all the promises that God has made to us is a good place to start facing what lies ahead. And it can be helpful to us to vocalise them when we pray, not for God’s benefit, but for ours. That’s why its also helpful to memorise scripture verses that speak to us. We will be surprised at how they return to our memory just when we need them. And although God doesn’t need to be reminded of His word and His promises, He does like to hear us speak them out.
Dear Lord,
I praise You for Your word and the promises that You make to us that we can rely upon. Help me to be like Mary, to take them in and ponder on them often in my heart. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.