January 9, 2020
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today is from the book of Genesis 32:26, “The Angel of God said, Let Me go for the day breaks. But Jacob said, I will not let you go, unless You bless me.”
Dear Brothers and Sisters, from the above passage we learn that the Angel of God by an admirable condescension speaks to Jacob, “ Let Me go for the day breaks.” But Jacob was reluctant, to leave the Angel of God. He resolves he will have a blessing even though all his bones are put out of joint, than allow the Angel to leave him without a blessing. Having been left alone he spread his fears before God in Prayer, for prayer is indeed wrestling with God. Nothing requires more vigour and unceasing exertion than wrestling because it is an emblem of the true spirit of faith and prayer. Jacob kept his ground, though the struggle continued long. This did not shake his faith or silence his prayer. So he prevailed and was blessed. Jacob relied on God for his sustenance.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, Jacob went to his uncle’s place with empty hand and a staff. The only blessing he had while he went to his uncle’s place was the blessing of His parents. But now God had blessed him with many children, servants, cattle, and much wealth. So he decided to leave his uncle and return back to Canaan his Father’s place. He wanted to go back and settle there with his wives and children. The Bible says, He returned with two companies. God had blessed him abundantly. But he feared to enter into His Fathers place, because he feared his elder brother Esau, who had earlier planned to kill Jacob for grabbing all the Blessing’s from his father Isaac. There was a family enmity that continued for over a period of time. Being very tired all the servants and his wives and children were fast asleep. But Jacob could not sleep. He was filled with fear, while returning home to see his Father. He was gripped with fear. He was afraid of facing the consequences awaiting him in his homeland. He was alone by the river side of Jabbok. And he cried out to God in deep distress that God should help him, from the hands of his elder brother. For he was afraid that he and his entire family, his wife and children, his servants would be destroyed.
During this critical time God came to meet him as the Angel of God. And Jacob struggled with him and prevailed. God blessed Jacob as He had promised him, while he was on his way to his uncle’s place. The very same night God changed the heart of his brother Esau, and he came to meet Jacob on his way to Canaan. Esau embraced Jacob and kissed him and a peace treaty was made between the brothers after many long years. Thus God changed the situation in favour of Jacob his beloved. Though the night was agonious, God granted him a peaceful morning.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, today as you are reading this message with much grief and sorrow, God Himself comes down to join with you in your problems. Share your difficulties with God. Often you share your sorrows with others who cannot help you in any way. But you never understand that there is a God beside you who can help you from all your troubles. You don’t realize to seek God at times of trouble. Learn to share your problems with God, He will solve all your problems in an amicable manner and set you free. May be you youngsters, cannot share your problems with your own parents but when you share with God however big your problem might seem to be God will counsel and solve all your problems. Start sharing with God. Make Him the Lord and Master of your life. He will bless you as He blessed Jacob, and change the worst situation in favour of you. God bless you.
Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. Thank You for teaching us the importance of Prayer. May we look up to God when we are in trouble? Teach us not to share our problems with others who cannot help us. Make us to understand that we need to put our confidence in God rather than man.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
