Page 6 - Good News August 2011 paper

n the Old Testament, we see this allowance: “If it is possible, and herds and camels, into two Now you are afraid of what will
that God appeared to different as much as depends on you, live companies” (NKJV). happen.
Ipeople in different ways. To peaceably with all men” It sounds like Jacob lived by the Know this: regardless of what
Abraham, the traveller, God (Romans 12:18, NKJV). adage, “God helps those who you have done, God will help
came as a traveller. To Joshua, Some people just don't want to help themselves.” The truth is you. I am not saying you won’t
the military commander, God be reconciled. They don't want that God helps those who can’t reap the consequences, but I am
came as the Commander of the to be forgiven, and they don't help themselves. This is what saying that you won’t reap them
Lord’s armies. And to the want to forgive. Jacob needed to realize. He alone. Even so, you must come
fighting, conniving, and resis- The Lord knew Jacob was afraid, couldn’t do it in his own face to face with it.
ting Jacob, God came as a so He appeared to him in a strength, but God was with him. If it is possible to make resti-
wrestler. special way. Genesis 32:12 tells He would be okay. tution, then do it. If you need to
In the latter example, there was us, “So Jacob went on his way, Even so, in an effort to appease ask forgiveness, then do so. If
an unresolved issue in Jacob’s and the angels of God met him. Esau, Jacob sent his servants reconciliation needs to take
life. He had just left Laban, the When Jacob saw them, he said, ahead with gifts of goats, sheep, place, then seek it out. Do the
mega-deceiver, and now he had ‘This is God’s camp.’ And he camels, and donkeys. Next he right thing in the right way before
to go back home and deal with called the name of that place sent his entourage, but Jacob God.
Esau, the brother he had cheated Mahanaim” (NKJV). himself stayed behind. Or perhaps there is something
out of a birthright some 20 years What was Jacob’s need at this The Bible tells us, “Then Jacob you want from God, such as the
earlier. moment? PROTECTION. He was was left alone; and a Man salvation of your husband, wife,
Jacob had nowhere to go but afraid. He didn’t have an army. wrestled with him until the parents, or children. Maybe you
forward. But forward was where He didn’t have any way to defend breaking of day” (Genesis 32:24, are tired of being single and have
Esau was. himself. NKJV). Obviously an army of asked God for a husband or wife.
It was time for Jacob to deal with So God sent him a host of angels angels had not been enough to Maybe you want to get involved
his past and the wrongs he had to reassure him. “Mahanaim” comfort Jacob. So the Lord in ministry and are looking for an
committed. He was about to means “two camps.” There was Himself made an appearance to opportunity.
discover the truth of Proverbs Jacob’s camp, and there was him. This shows us that God Don’t resort to conniving. God
18:19 - “A brother offended is God’s camp. God was saying, meets us wherever we are in wants to do His will in His way in
harder to win than a strong city” - “You are not alone. I am here order to lift us to where He wants His timing.
the hard way. with you.” us to be. God’s provision comes to us just
That is not to say that we So what did Jacob do? Genesis Maybe you can relate to Jacob. when it is needed - not too little
shouldn’t try, for indeed we 32:7 tells us, “So Jacob was Perhaps you recently have come and not too late. God anticipates
should. But sometimes we just greatly afraid and distressed; face-to-face with the repercus- our need and provides His grace
can’t reconcile with certain and he divided the people that sions of a bad decision you have right when we need it!
people. The Bible even gives us were with him, and the flocks made in life, possibly years ago. Greg Laurie www.oneplace.com