An Imbalance of Grace

Genesis 32:1-21

We pick up the thread of the conflicted brothers as if nothing has happened in the years since Jacob fled his home – except now Jacob has a wealth of assets to send before him in appeasement. The combination of careful planning and strategy and fervent, humble prayer before God probably rings true with a lot of us. We do what we can when we find ourselves in a ‘spot’, but also pray, “Lord just get me out of this one and I’ll …”

Jacob’s insecurity comes even though he once again has encountered angels (verses 1-2; compare 28:10-22 and 31:10-13). Behind this is a cosmic view that assumes God’s messengers are constantly at work behind the scenes of our lives. That dimension is cracked open for Jacob on these several occasions, revealing to him something of the heaven-directed purpose of his trials. This should be of immense assurance to us. Such revelation and assurance is enough for us to get on with things, but not necessarily enough for us to feel entirely confident. So don’t feel you lack faith because of such confusion of feelings. Jesus himself was wrought with turmoil before his greatest trial, and he knew exactly where he was from and what it was all about.

The mixture of belief and unbelief, confidence and insecurity is part of all of our lives. We just need lots of prayer, time with God’s Word, real fellowship and renewing worship to have enough to go on – one sense of the “daily bread” we pray for, i.e. enough to go on for the day. It keeps us directed toward our true Strength (vertical) and those with whom we share mutual support (horizontal). And it works in such a way that confidence (in God) and peace of mind can be the overwhelmingly dominant characteristic of our experience.

Prayer:
Lord, give us this day our daily bread. Through Christ, who has traveled before us the road of life to death to greater life. Amen.