When we pray, can we show our true humility?
Jacob was now in a desperate situation. He separated out his family into two groups, hoping at least one group would survive. He had no army. He had no weaponry. He had prayer!
Preparing the Bride for GOD’s Story
How do we prepare as the Bride of Christ? One aspect is to learn GOD’S STORY. He created us in His image…. Piece by piece, and peace by peace, we learn to walk as He has walked. And we learn His perspective.
Genesis 32:8-12
“And he said, “If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the other company which is left will escape.”
Then Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you’: I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies. Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children. For You said, ‘I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’ ”
Humble at last
Jacob has had quite a life and yet with such wealth and godly favour, he is now reduced to no power at all amongst the threat of his brother whom he tricked out of inheritance and blessing.
He’s got family. He’s got wives and women and sons. He’s got herds and flocks. But he is fundamentally alone in the world against an impending army. What does he do?
He prays. He reminds the GOD of his father and his father’s father, “You promised me this… and I ask you to rescue me for the sake of your promise.
What will GOD do?
Centuries later, Solomon would write this:
“By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life.” (Proverbs 22:40
I don’t know how well Jacob slept after his prayer. I don’t know what his wives and family thought of the situation at hand. I don’t know what brother Esau’s intentions were when he heard of his brother’s return. But I do know GOD and when He says a thing, it is done!
Jacob showed humility and he was certainly afraid. GOD always honours prayer…