JULY 3 – CROSSED OVER BEFORE!

^“Then he crossed over before them and….he came near to his brother” (Genesis 33:3).

In this Scripture portion, we read about an important incident that happened in the life of Jacob. Jacob and Esau were twins. While Esau was a well-built hunter, Jacob was a simple and wise tent dweller. Jacob cunningly acquired Esau’s birth right and also the blessings of the father belonging to Esau. Out of fear that his brother Esau might even kill him, Jacob ran away from his home.

Many years passed by and they both never met. Now Jacob had wives and also thirteen children. He had a lot of wealth but his fear of his brother continued to torment him.

When a situation arose wherein Jacob had no other option other than meeting Esau, he slowly slid back. He made his servants, flocks and herds and camels, wives, and children move ahead towards Esau and walked at the back, fearing that Easu might attack and defeat him. He was greatly afraid and distressed (Genesis 32:7). It was at that time he sought God. He began to pray. He waited for the mercy and power of God. How fervent his prayer was!

He opened his heart and prayed, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord …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 comes and attacks me and the mother with the children” (Genesis 32:9-11).

That prayer was not an ordinary one. It was a fervent prayer done throughout the night. He firmly caught hold of God in that prayer. He made a non-stop effort till he received the touch of God.

Do you know what happened after the prayer? He, who was walking at the back, came to the front after the prayer. The Scripture says, “He crossed over before them” (Genesis 33:3). Yes. That prayer made Jacob a bold person. It brought the feeling that God was with him.

Dear children of God, fully believe that prayer could change your situations.

To meditate: “For by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall” (Psalm 18:29).