Is That All you Got?

Nov. 14

Read: Genesis 32:1-21

Is That All you Got?

“And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and he is coming to meet you, and there are four hundred men with him.” Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed.” (v.6)

The first steps of obedience to God are often met with a potential moment of fear or “set back”. I believe the Lord does this to test us. He calls us to face the unknown… trusting him… “walking by faith not by sight”. (2 Cor. 5:7) Imagine how Jacob felt. He had just finished a confrontation with his father in-law and is on is way - obeying the Lord - only to find out that his brother is coming towards him with 400 men! This is the same brother that he ran away from 20 years ago because of how much he was hated by him. These early “oppositions” to one’s obedience to God will either “make or break” a person.

Jacob’s first inclination is to make his own provisions. He divides the people into 2 camps - reasoning that when Esau attacks the one, the other will be able to flee. (v.7,8) This tactic, although prudent in some ways, brings Jacob little comfort. It is then that he turns to God in prayer. How often do we try to first solve our problems on our own and in turn neglect to come to the Lord?

Have you ever heard this phrase? (Or maybe said it yourself?):

“I guess all we can do is pray.”

Sometimes I feel like a phrase such as this has a defeatist tone to it. We declare “all we can do” as if prayer is something inconsequential or pointless. It is quite the opposite though isn’t it? Sometimes facing fear and the unknown gives us one of the greatest gifts of all - a reason to break down and surrender in prayer! These moments of testing drive us to our knees in prayer… causing us to call out to the Lord. This is part of that “make or break us” moment. When we set out in obedience to the Lord we will inevitably be met by fearful situations. In these situations, if we rely only on our own “smarts” and “strategic planning”, we will find little relief from the fear and anxiety that plagues us. When we turn to the Lord in fervent prayer, the opposite happens. Each instance of fear and anxiety becomes a catalyst for a step forward… a step towards the Lord. This is a hard-won lesson; to develop the habit to pray first. It is a lesson, frankly, that is most likely learned in the toughest moments of life… there is no “easy way” around it.

Jacob’s prayer is found in verses 9-12. There are four quick ideas I want to point out about how Jacob prays:

1.) He clings to the truth that God is GOOD, and his goal is to do GOOD to his children.

2.) He is humble, and recognizes God’s “steadfast love and faithfulness”.

3.) He is grateful for the blessings he has received, he has a thankful heart.

4.) He is honest and transparent with God; he admits his fear (of Esau) and asks for his protection.

Notice how Jacob opens and closes with God’s “goodness”. Jacob does this not because God needs to be reminded of it but because HE needs to be reminded! May we never abandon the very REAL and POWERFUL act of prayer in exchange for our own “strategic” planning. (This is not an argument against planning or using the minds God has given us - but it is a call to give our selves to prayer before we seek our comfort and confidence in our own provisions.) Our provision is rooted in God alone. Jacob sees this and makes reference to it when he speaks of “leaving with nothing” and coming back with “ two camps”. Prayer is so much more than “all we get to do”… it is a two way conversation with the God Most High! May we be reminded of God’s goodness, humble our hearts, cultivate thankfulness, and boldly tell God what we ae afraid of while asking his protection and provision. May we pray expectantly today as we face whatever fears come at us as we walk in obedience to God. Love you guys. - JDP