Jacob’s Gift
Gen 32:9-20
This prayer for survival – how many times has a human being desperately cried out in this way? “Save me my God.”
“O Lord make haste to help me.”
For me at least, it has happened a few times. Like a Jonathan Edward’s sermon; the utter awareness of my complete dependence on Him is terrifying. But despite its desperation, this is also a hopeful place. A place of reality.
But even here, there is work to be done in this world. Words in the air aren’t going to keep Esau from cutting off my head.
The answer in prayer is a gift. Jacob, grabber than you are, give a gift. And so we say:
“A gift in secret pacifieth anger, And a present in the bosom strong wrath.”
It’s funny how often this stuff really works.
