NOT WORTHY!

NOT WORTHY!

Gen 32:9-12

9 And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord  which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:

10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.

11 Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.

12 And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.

           Jacob, the scoundrel, was about to return home accompanied by his wives, his children, and all his abundance. He had fled the rage of his brother whom he had cheated of both birthright and blessing. Now the prospect of meeting his angry brother causes him to pray. In this prayer I see FOUR important points to remember when we pray.

           We must understand who God is! This, at its best, is elementary because which of us has fully mined the depths of Jehovah God? Nevertheless, Jacob begins by acknowledging God as supreme. This is fundamental in our relationship with Him.

           We must understand who we are! The word “unworthy” is a difficult Hebrew word to fully interpret. It is the word qaton which, essentially means “to be made small.” Jacob saw himself shrinking before God’s great person, power, and patience. God’s goodness to him was so overwhelming that he had to admit that he deserved none of it.

           We must express our concerns! Jacob correctly began his prayer with the words “for I fear” in verse eleven. In my opinion, Jacob feared that his brother would be as ruthless as himself. In his returning parade, Jacob sent ahead his substance and then what could only be described as the sacrifice of his family before he, himself, met his angry brother. Always the manipulator, Jacob thought to assuage the anger of his offended brother. This was his fear and his prayer.

           We must remember God’s promises! Jacob reminded God of his promise to do him good and to make him a great nation. I suspect God needs no reminder but we need to remind ourselves of God’s covenant with us. If God has promised blessing, then this fear is not well founded. Only when we are convinced of God’s good intentions toward us can we move forward in faith.

Awesome God! I shrink before you as one who has no standing with you except your great kindness. I bring to you my fears and concerns. Remember your promises to me. In Jesus’ Name. AMEN