Image by Sharonlyn Newington
Genesis 31:17-32:12; Matthew 10:26-11:6; Psalm 13:1-6; Proverbs 3:16-18
Peace disturbed by
past misdeeds, past lies,
past breaches in family ties
presents me with a choice:
Will I trust God to make things right?
Or will the need for deceit craft more links
in a chain that keeps me bound?
Such might have been Jacob’s thoughts–
Jacob- who tricked his father, Isaac, to get his brother’s blessing…
Jacob- who was tricked into marrying his true love’s sister…
Jacob-who secretly escaped with his wives and children…
Jacob-who feared facing once again the brother whom he’d cheated…
What a web of deceit and lies and tricks.
And yet…God was with Jacob.
Jacob who “swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.”
Jacob feared God above all. And when his human emotion of fear rose to the surface Jacob in faith prayed:
“Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him…But you said, ” I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea.” Genesis 32:11-12
Jacob decided- no more tricks…God would provide.
Dear Jesus, Thank you for dying on the Cross– for breaking sin’s power of deception. We come to you asking for your forgiveness for times we have been part of that cycle. Please help us to forgive those who have lied and deceived us with the same forgiveness that you have given us. By your Spirit’s power enable us to walk in the light of Truth in all our relationships. In your name we pray, Amen.
“But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.” Psalm 13:5-6
What's The Good Word? 