"We came to your brother Esau, and…he is coming to meet you.’…Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed. ”
Genesis 32:7
Fear is a great motivator. Jacob, the deceiver, expected to become the receiver of some rough justice from his brother, Esau. The worst part, Jacob knew he had it coming.
Jacob was at the end of his rope, but he was not through making rope. Prayerless people are master rope-makers.
“He divided the people who were with him…into two companies…” v. 7
Jacob was a shrewd man. Being shrewd is the world’s substitute for wisdom. A shrewd man tries to keep his options open even when they don't exist.
“If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the company which is left will escape.” v. 8
Blind panic may be the lowest motivation for prayer, but it is still a highly effective one. Jacob was out of options, and God intended for him to face the consequences.
When Jacob finally came face to face with his crisis, he turned his face towards God. Prayer is always the wisest move that can be made when faced with a crisis, and overwhelmed by panic. No matter what the motivation may be for prayer, just start praying. God hears prayers forged in the furnace of panic.
“Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O LORD, who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your relatives, and I will prosper you,’ ‘I am unworthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness which You have shown to Your servant…Deliver me, I pray.”
Genesis 32:9-11
Jacob’s obedience to God, not his rebellion, put him face to face with an encounter with his wronged brother. When he heard God say, “Return to your country,” Jacob must have known this day of reckoning was coming. He obeyed God anyway.
When he realized where his obedience had led him, Jacob prayed, "O God of my father."
Turning to God involves being right with God. Being right with God includes making things right with others. When Jacob remembered to get with God, God improved his memory about what Jacob had done to his brother.
“I am unworthy” – There comes a point in prayer when being right with God is all that matters.
“Deliver me, I pray.” - Deliverance is not an escape from conflict. It is a victory in the middle of a battle. Prayerful people trust God.
NOTE TO SELF: If God has brought you to it, then God will bring you through it. God intended for Jacob to meet his brother face to face. When he ran out of rope, he ran to God. Prayer is where the battle is won. When you come face to face with a crisis, get face to face with God. You aren’t worthy of God’s loving-kindness and faithfulness. Jesus Christ is The Champion over your crisis. Pray in His name.
TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!