LESS
THAN THE LEAST
READ:
Genesis
32:3-12
I
am not worthy of the least of
all
the mercies and of all the truth
which
You have shown Your servant.
-Genesis
32:10
Unlike those who think highly of
themselves, Jacob knew that he had been ruined by sin (Genesis 32:10). He thought himself a man unworthy of God’s
grace. He had cheated his brother Esau
out of his birthright (ch.27), and his brother hated him
for it. Now, years later, Jacob was
going to face Esau again.
“I
am not worthy of the least of all the mercies,” Jacob prayed, using a word for “least” that suggests the tiniest object. “Deliver
me, I pray” (32:10-11).
How odd to see those phrases side by
side: I am unworthy of Your mercies….Deliver me! Yet Jacob could pray for mercy because his
hope lay not in his own worth, but in God’s promise to look with favor on those
who throw themselves at His feet.
Humility and contrition are the keys that open the heart of God. Someone has said that the best disposition
for praying is being stripped of everything.
It is crying out of the depths.
It comes from the soul that knows its deep depravity.
Such prayers are offered by those who
are thoroughly convicted of their sin and shame, but, at the same time, are
convinced of God’s grace that goes out to undeserving sinners. God hears best those who cry out: “God,
be merciful to me a sinner!” (Luke
18:13). –David Roper
Lord,
I am like Jacob, in need of Your mercy.
I
have failed You, and I bow at Your feet today.
Thank
You for being a merciful God, ready
And
able to forgive and restore me.
******************************************
It
is fitting for a great God to forgive great sinners.
INSIGHT
Jacob
had good reason to fear his brother Esau.
With trickery and deception, Jacob had stolen both Esau’s inheritance
(Genesis 25) and his blessing (Genesis 27).
Esau’s last record words before he met Jacob again (Genesis 32) were “I
will kill my brother Jacob” (27:41).
Have a blessed day and weekend.
God Our Creator’s Love Always.
Unity & Peace
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