January 13, 2017: SOAP #2598:  Genesis 31-33; Luke 13

Scripture:  Genesis (NIV) 32:9 Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O LORD, 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 groups.  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.’”

Observation:  Jacob had learned a key in praying to God.  He did not have the written Word, for the first five books were written by Moses and Moses had not yet been born.  But what God had said to Abraham and Isaac was considered very important and had been carefully handed down to Jacob.  Even more important was what God had personally said to Jacob.  So, in prayer, Jacob let God know that he valued God’s word by remembering it and believing God meant what He said!

Application:  It is good for me to remember what God has said in His written word, but in prayer, it is better for me to speak about what God has said to me personally.   Reminding God of what He has said is not because He has forgotten, but to let Him know that I have not forgotten!  It lets Him know that I value His word and consider Him faithful to fulfill it.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for speaking to me.  I know You are faithful.  As I see You fulfilling Your word to Israel, I know I can trust you to fulfill your word to me!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!