Like Seeing The Face Of God | A SOAP Devotional, By Pastor Jamie

 

 

Read Genesi 33 Genesis 33 NLT - Jacob and Esau Make Peace - Then Jacob - Bible Gateway   Genesis 33:10-11- But Jacob insisted, “No, if I have found favor with you, please accept this gift from me. And what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God! Please take this gift I have brought you, for God has been very gracious to me. I have more than enough.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau finally accepted the gift.

When they parted company many years earlier, Esau had promised to seek revenge and kill Jacob for his deceit if he ever saw him again. Jacob was relieved to see how his older twin brother's heart had softened toward him with the passing of time. On the heels of just having wrestled with God all night, Jacob has been anticipating the potential wrestling match with Esau, but his trickery had been forgiven. The gifts were even unnecessary, although eventually Esau received them. This confusingly estranged relationship moved from hatred and vengeance to forgiveness and reconciliation.

From the way the story between Jacob and Esau unfolded through the years with conflict and manipulation, it is hard to imagine the outcome we see here in Scripture. Surprisingly, Esau became a picture of God's grace, healing, and forgiveness. Jacob gets it right- having eyes to see and a heart to receive forgiveness is like "seeing the face of God." Esau ran to Jacob to hug and welcome him, which reveals the step from forgiveness to reconciliation. I wish the older brother in the story of the Waiting Father (also known as the story of the Prodigal Son) in Luke 15 would have been able to run to his brother with forgiveness, too. As followers of Jesus, we must stay closely connected to our own moments of great forgiveness, so that we are willing and able to extend forgiveness to others. The church must be ready to run toward all those wanting forgiveness. Is there anyone you need to run to with forgiveness? Or take the next step toward reconciliation? Do you need the Waiting Father to run to you with forgiveness? Forgiveness received truly is like "seeing the face of God."

Thank You, thank You, thank You, O God, for forgiving me, even me and not giving up on me! Help each of us remember we ever stand in the need of Your grace and mercy. Don't ever let us drift too far from this great need, so we are always ready to share the reason for the hope within us with gentleness and respect. When much forgiveness is given, much forgiveness is expected in return. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Amen.

 

"For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” (2 Corinthians 5:19-20),

 

Pastor Jamie