I love how God still loves us despite our sinful and fearful nature. In Genesis 27-35, we see the story of Jacob’s life that is full of sin. Does God condemn and reject him? No. Jacob’s name is often included in the Old Testament when God identifies Himself: “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:15).
Jacob was a fearful man in many ways, whether his fear resulted from his own sinful ways, from his father-in-law, or his brother Esau. Jacob learned to seek the Lord during His time of duress. What I love is that God met with him, not in just little ways, but big ways too.
“I will protect you wherever you go” (Genesis 28:15).
“God told Laban (Jacob’s father-in-law), ‘I’m warning you, leave Jacob alone’” (Genesis 31:24). Jacob was not even aware that God was protecting him. When Laban went to see Jacob, he responded to Laban in fear. “
As Jacob started on his way again, angels of God came to meet him. When Jacob saw them, he said, ‘This is God’s camp’” (Genesis 32:1-2). Yet still he feared the revenge of his brother.
In fear, Jacob wrestled with the Angel of the Lord (God) and demanded a blessing (See Genesis 32:22-30).
Jacob’s life can encourage us as we experience our own challenges. We go through life and things happen that cause us to get worried and scared. Perhaps you are in a difficult season right now. We forget that God has already brought us through many difficult days. He’s helped us in sickness, financial problems, and poor decisions we made in our past. Yet, at every turn, we still are uncertain.
A Moment to reflect:
Is there a challenge you're currently experiencing that is causing worry and/or fear in your heart?
What is one way today you can surrender that fear to God and trust Him? Perhaps it's spending more time in prayer, inviting a friend to pray for you, taking a nap or a walk outside, etc.
Confess your fear to the Lord - meditate on this Scripture today, “I will protect you wherever you go” (Genesis 28:15).
By Tyla Kozub - an excerpt from For Such A Time As This: Walking Through Crisis
*A moment to reflect is added for this post.
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