Daily Devotion, October 15, 2020

 

Devotion: Read Genesis 33:1-11.

If anyone had good reason to hold a grudge, it would be Jacob’s brother, Esau. Jacob cheated Esau out of his birthright and his blessing; then he fled because Esau planned to kill him as soon as their father, Isaac, died. Twenty years had passed since Jacob and Esau had seen each other. We can understand that the idea of meeting again made Jacob nervous, especially since Esau came with 400 men.

Jacob sent messengers and lavish gifts ahead of him, hoping to appease his brother. But he shouldn’t have worried. As Jacob bowed before his ­brother, Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. Jacob responded, “To see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably.”

Most of us have struggling relationships with family members, friends, or others we have wronged. Perhaps we recognize the need for reconciliation but aren’t sure how to go about it. We cannot control how others respond to us; we can only show grace and enjoy the grace shown to us. In Christ, we find the unexpected and merciful embrace of God. And for this we can only give thanks and enjoy God’s grace shown to us. Personal Worship Option: How do you think Esau felt to see Jacob bowing before him? Could you similarly humble yourself before someone you’ve wronged? Who do you need to make amends with through forgiveness? Forgiving others is one of the greatest ways we can demonstrate the love, mercy and grace that Christ gave us.