Genesis 32- Beginning a New Life

Beginnings can be exciting. A new adventure. God directing our beginnings bring with it an added excitement just knowing you are in the right place doing the right thing in obedience to God.

Sometimes new beginnings are also scary. Filled with the unknown and potential dangers our comfort zone would never allow. As I write this my aunt is beginning one of those new scary chapters as she sees her husband off into eternity and carries on here without him.

Jacob was in similar circumstances as he began a new chapter of his life. He was called by God to return to his land and face his brother who issued his death warrant. He was going into scary territory, but he answered God's call and headed toward home. As he sends servants ahead, he finds that his brother is coming to meet him with 400 men at his side. What can that mean? Is God bringing him home so that Esau can slay him after he has blessed him so much?

He divides his camp, sends waves of gifts, and sneaks his family across the river in the dark to avoid detection, and he prays to God to be his help. Once he is alone He wrestles all night with a man. Jacob perceives he is divinely sent and asks for a blessing and his name.

Interestingly, a new name is given to Jacob. No longer will he be known for taking what isn't his. No longer will he be a heel grabber. But God calls him Israel. (Meaning struggles with God). He overcame his struggle with God and was now prepared to meet his brother.

Our new chapters in life are not always smooth sailing or without anxiety. But if God has called you to a place, like Jacob, we can trust God's care for us. He alone is faithful and will not leave his children without comfort.

Obedience can be costly. But we can trust that the rewards are far more than the cost. God has promised a new name for his children; one that He will give. Be faithful to God in your land of uncertainty. Trust God to provide for you day by day and you will come to know Him intimately as your provider and your Salvation.

There is no problem we face that God cannot overcome. Jesus himself faced hardship on earth even to the point of dying a death he didn't deserve to provide a way of salvation for us. You can look to him as you go through the unknown y. He is more than able to take care of you!

May God richly bless you as you seek him and as you serve him.