DAY 217:

“Have experiences, misfortunes, mistakes, and weaknesses caused you to run away in hopes of escaping the retaliation of men or the judgments of God?

Jacob was so used to always depending upon his own smarts and strength to get himself out of troubles, but when God told him to go back to his country and his kindred, he was afraid that Esau would not forgive him for stealing his birthright. He divided his camp and sent them on different paths, anticipating Esau’s revenge.. Jacob had no control over Esau’s heart, but God did! Jacob cried out to God for deliverance and also reminded Him that He said He would deal well with Jacob when he returned to his country.

‘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,’ (Genesis 32:11).

Most people today know ‘about’ God, but they never really EXPERIENCE Him. Jacob had an encounter with God, face to face, through the wrestle that lasted until the breaking of day.. This encounter and wrestle changed his entire life! When God was about to go, Jacob said, ‘I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.’ God brought Jacob into face to face intimacy with Him that solidified his dependence upon God and not himself. Through the wrestle, Jacob found favor and power with God and man and his life was preserved!

‘And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved,’ (Genesis 32:30).

Friends, you do not have to run away when you have done wrong.. that is when you run to God.. when you cry out to Him in forgiveness.. and when you seek Him with all your heart, that you find Him and He finds you… FACE TO FACE!! There is salvation, preservation, and restoration in the Face of God because of the Blood that Jesus shed for you and I! Will you persevere and let God wrestle with you until you overcome and are blessed, and you find favor and power with God and man?!”

~David E. Taylor~