In Genesis 32:9-12 Jacob prays to God as he returns home to face his brother Esau.
9 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.’ 10 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! 11 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. 12 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’s prayer gives insight into how he has changed during his time away. He has lived more than 500 miles from home with his deceptive Uncle Laban. Jacob comes to the realization that he is not worthy of God’s love. He realizes that all he has is from the Lord. His success has not resulted from his own ability but from the Lord’s blessings. He cries out to God to rescue him as only the Lord can. When he prays he remembers all that the Lord has promised in the past.
Have you ever cried out to God to rescue you? Have you begun to realize that all that you have are blessings from God? Have you pondered the promises that the Lord gives to every person who has faith in Jesus as their Savior?
As we reflect on the God of the Bible we soon discover He is a God of rescue. He is the good shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine sheep behind to rescue the lost one. “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary
God has promised eternal life to all those believe in him. “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.
If you don’t know Jesus trust Him and call on his name to rescue you.
Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ge 32:9–12). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: the Bible in contemporary language (Jn 3:16). Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.
Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: the Bible in contemporary language (Jn 10:11). Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.