January 25 - Genesis 32:11

Jacob prayed,

"Deliver me, please,

from the hand of my brother,

... for I am afraid of him."

Genesis 32:11

 

One of the greatest truths that I've learned over the years is that fear is often the first step into sin. Fear readies us for transgression. Anxiety causes us to act defensively rather than confidently ... selfishly rather than generously ... cynical instead of trusting ... angrily instead of peacably ... chained instead of free.

 

Jacob is absolutely afraid. Fortunately he gives us today a positive pattern for dealing with fear:

1. Pray -- "9 Jacob said, 'O God ...'"
2. Remember God's Faithfulness in the Past -- In saying "9 God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac," Jacob is remember that if God was faithful in the past he will be faithful in the present.
3. Remember God's Promises -- Every year, one of the best-selling books at every Christian bookstore is some version of God's Promises to Christians. These kinds of books list every promise in the Bible that you can claim for yourself in troubling times. Jacob held fast to God's promise that "9 Return to your country and ... I will do you good." He acted on faith and on the promises. How about you?
4. Humbleness -- Humbleness is how and where we need to stand before God -- trusting in his power, not our own. "10 I am not worthy."
5. Remember God's Faithfulness Again -- Remember "all the steadfast love ... you have shown to your servant" in the past.
6. Now Ask -- "11 Deliver me, please, from __________." Be specific.
7. Name the Dragon you are Facing -- Dragon's are like vampires. Sometimes just pulling them out into God's light robs these threats of 90% of their power over us. Say outloud, "11 I am afraid of ____."
8. Remind God of God's Promises -- "11 I am afraid ... yet you have said ..." It's not that God's forgetful, it's that he wants to hear us claim his promises. And your specificity helps define how he will answer. For example, if you want to be set free (a big promises), don't just ask for comfort (a nice but smaller promise). Be bold!

In Christ's Love, 

a guy who needs to remember

how to count to eight