Text:
Genesis 32:3-12
Memory Verse:
“Then Jacob said, ‘O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the LORD who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you'” (Genesis 32:9).
When a piece of terrifying news comes, its immediate effect is to instil fear in you. It might destabilise you, if you allow it. As a child of God, you must encourage yourself with His word rather
than allow fear to take root in your heart. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
In Genesis 32, Jacob’s conscience condemned him because, as at then, he had not made peace with his brother Esau, whose blessings he had cunningly taken. Fear gripped him when he learnt that Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men. He remembered, however, that God was the one who instructed him to return to his country and family, and with that he comforted himself.
What do you do when you are afraid? David wept with the others when he got to Ziklag and found it in ruins, but he quickly became solution oriented (1 Samuel 30:4-6). He remembered God must have a plan. Your inner man should be built up in the knowledge of God to be able to stand in the day of adversity. The word of God gives you courage and strength. When faced with scary situations, remind yourself of God’s word and pray. Call a fellow Christian to pray with you, as two are better than one and, what is more, iron sharpens iron. With God on your side, you can stand in the face of terrifying news. One with God is the majority.
Prayer Points:
1. Lord, give me grace to stand in the day of adversity.
2. Lord, grant me grace to remember Your word and act on it when terrifying news comes.
