I love beyond measure Genesis 32:1 that says: "Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him." And, Oh! Jacob's response: “This is God's camp!” And then, Jacob rides to welcome estranged Esau with gifts fitting for a king. But, his betrayed brother, Esau, is coming to meet Jacob with 400 men. Jacob just descended from the top of the world to the depths of despair cause of a number: 400. Isn't the God of the camp bigger than 400? It happens to me all the time. I'll get an e-mail, or a perceived rebuke and I'm all over it---not in a good way. Jacob may be distressed but he did something beautiful: He divided his camp into two to take care of his people---for this potential danger was in response to Jacob not them. And he prayed believing God would do him good. Genesis 32:9. And he went to his Maker who holds the daunting power to hold back 400. And Jacob wrestled with God. And God touched this broken messed up life. And the rest of the story moves with such sadness as Jacob's daughter was "used" by men while Jacob, now Israel, remains silent. Even great men of God lapse back and forth into sin. Even in the midst of Good. Where was Israel? Where am I?
Oh! God of Abraham and Isaac, we are not worthy of the least of all the deeds of Your Steadfast Love, of Your Faithfulness shown. Thank you for doing us good, no matter if we see 400 in our face or four. Please deliver us from those who don't want to have anything to do with us. And I say that with tears streaming down as I move back this month to a town where I felt great distance and rejection by those I loved. I hope they run to us someday like Esau. My arms are open wide. We want to see Your Face, O God!
And God says to me ... Can't I do what I want with everything that is Mine. Words breathed in Matthew 20:16.
PHOTO: Free Christ Images photo credit. "Constantinople." Oh! To be touched by God and know it!
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