On the day that Jacob would meet his brother, Esau, Jacob was in his worst condition. He had not slept all night because of worrying, he was tired physically because of the wrestling match, and he was injured to the point that he could not walk without a staff. Additionally, Jacob did not have anyone to protect him, for he had only his family and servants. Jacob was not a fighter but was a deceiver, so his survival in a physical altercation was zero. If there was a time for Esau to kill Jacob, this was the perfect timing. The only hope that Jacob had was for God to intervene to deliver him.
So when Jacob saw Esau coming with 400 men, Jacob went ahead of his family and bowed down to the ground seven times until he came near to his brother. Esau got off his horse, ran to Jacob, embraced him, fell on his neck, and kissed him, and they wept together. All along, God had the situations under control. Jacob did not realize that God was also working on Esau's heart in all these years. Esau looked up and saw Jacob's family, and he was excited to meet them. Then Esau asked Jacob about all the animals that he saw on the way. Jacob told him that they were all his gifts to him, but Esau told him that he was blessed and had plenty also.
When Jacob saw Esau, he was expecting hate, but he saw love. He was expecting Esau's violent reaction, but he received embraced. He was expecting rejection, but he received acceptance, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Jacob was worrying for nothing. He trusted in his plan, but in the end, He saw God's hands working in his situations. God did what no one else could do, and that was to change both of their hearts. So let us be encouraged that when we go through a difficult situation beyond our control, God is using that impossible situation to work in our hearts and teach us something valuable. And He is going to work everything out. God's solutions may be completely different than we are expecting. God will never leave us, we just need to trust in Him and surrender our lives to Him, and He will work everything out.
Ask yourself these questions: Who is the only one who can change the heart of a person? What is God's goal in my heart? What should I do when I am facing a difficult or impossible problem?
Write down all the worries that you are facing today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in heaven, I am so encouraged to know that you are always in control of my situations. Thank you that you are changing my heart and teaching me to trust you. Please help me to look up to you and rely on you completely. Thank you for being my God, my provider, my counselor, my guide, my healer, and my protector. Thank you for being my everything. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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