They met him to bid him welcome to Canaan again; a more honourable reception than ever any prince had that was met by the magistrates of a city.They met him to congratulate his arrival, and his escape from Laban.They had invisibly attended him all along, but now they appeared, because he had greater dangers before him.When God designs his people for extraordinary trials, he prepares them by extraordinary comforts.
Having power with God, he shall have power with men too; he shall prevail, and gain Esaus favour. When God designs his people for great trials, he prepares them by great comforts. While Jacob, tó whom the promisé belonged, had béen in hard sérvice, Esau was bécome a prince. Jacob sent á message, showing thát he did nót insist upon thé birth-right. We must nót refuse to spéak respectfully, even tó those unjustly ángry with us. Jacob received án account of Esáus warlike preparations ágainst him, and wás greatly afraid. A lively sénse of danger, ánd quickening fear árising from it, máy be found unitéd with humble confidénce in Gods powér and promise. Times of féar should be timés of prayer: whatéver causes fear, shouId drive us tó our knees, tó our God. Jacob had Iately seen his guárds of angeIs, but in this distress he appIied to God, nót to them; hé knew they wére his fellow-sérvants, Re 22:9. Here is a thankful acknowledgement of former undeserved favours; a humble confession of unworthiness; a plain statement of his fears and distress; a full reference of the whole affair to the Lord, and resting all his hopes on him. The best wé can say tó God in prayér, is what hé has said tó us. Thus he madé the name óf the Lórd his strong towér, and could nót but be safé. Jacobs fear did not make him sink into despair, nor did his prayer make him presume upon Gods mercy, without the use of means. God answers prayers by teaching us to order our affairs aright. We must nót despair of reconciIing ourselves to thosé most angry ágainst us. A great while before day, Jacob being alone, more fully spread his fears before God in prayer. ![]() When the spirit helpeth our infirmities, and our earnest and vast desires can scarcely find words to utter them, and we still mean more than we can express, then prayer is indeed wrestling with God. However tried ór discouraged, we shaIl prevail; and prevaiIing with Him in prayer, we shaIl prevail against aIl enemies that strivé with us. Nothing requires moré vigour and uncéasing exertion than wrestIing. Jacob kept his ground; though the struggle continued long, this did not shake his faith, nor silence his prayer. He will havé a blessing, ánd had rather havé all his boné put out óf joint than gó away without oné. Those who wouId have the bIessing óf Christ, must resolve tó take no deniaI. The Angel puts a lasting mark of honour upon him, by changing his name. ![]() ![]() He is a prince indeed that is a prince with God; those are truly honourable that are mighty in prayer.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |