Today’s Devotion
Topic: Confront Your Fears!
(Self Assessment)
Background: It is said that without faith it is impossible to please God, and this is true. However, sometimes faith is just so difficult in the face of the many earthly “realities” that threaten our confidence in the Lord. In moments like that, there are practical steps we can take to revive our faith.
These include obeying God’s word, being humble to admit how unworthy we are of His blessings, and reminding ourselves of His goodness to us in times past. Let’s delve deeper into today’s study to learn more about this using the patriarch Jacob as our case study.
Text: Genesis 32:6 -12
6 When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, “We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.” 7 In great fear and distress Jacob divided the people who were with him into two groups, and the flocks and herds and camels as well. 8 He thought, “If Esau comes and attacks one group, the group that is left may escape.”
“9 Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, Lord, you who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’ 10 I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps.”
“11 Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. 12 But you have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.’ ”” Amen
Questions:
i. Why was Jacob afraid, according to verse 6, when the messengers brought him the news that his twin brother Esau, was coming out to meet him? (read Genesis 27).
ii. In Jacob’s prayer, he addresses God in reference to His father and grandfather. Why did he do so and what can we learn from this especially in a generation that threatens godliness?
iii. In prayer, Jacob reminds God that this particular journey he’s embarked on is based on God’s command that he returned to his country. He also reminds God of His promise to bless him. Why do you think this is necessary, thinking that he feared Esau would revenge?
iv. In verse 10, Jacob told the Lord how unworthy he was of all the Lord’s blessings to him. He also said, “I had only a staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps”:
a) Explain this statement Jacob made and demonstrate how helpful this will be in helping him confront his fears.
b) Also, what does this tell us about the faithfulness of God to His promises?
v. Why will Jacob still be afraid and feel doubtful about his future even after knowing what God has said? Does this happen to you sometimes? You may share with us a testimony.
vi. How is today’s study going to help your faith concerning God’s promises concerning your future even if fear knocks on your door?
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