Prayer Changes Things!

Genesis 32:3-12

Genesis 32:3–12 NLT

3 Then Jacob sent messengers ahead to his brother, Esau, who was living in the region of Seir in the land of Edom. 4 He told them, “Give this message to my master Esau: ‘Humble greetings from your servant Jacob. Until now I have been living with Uncle Laban, 5 and now I own cattle, donkeys, flocks of sheep and goats, and many servants, both men and women. I have sent these messengers to inform my lord of my coming, hoping that you will be friendly to me.’ ” 6 After delivering the message, the messengers returned to Jacob and reported, “We met your brother, Esau, and he is already on his way to meet you—with an army of 400 men!” 7 Jacob was terrified at the news. He divided his household, along with the flocks and herds and camels, into two groups. 8 He thought, “If Esau meets one group and attacks it, perhaps the other group can escape.” 9 Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my grandfather Abraham, and God of my father, Isaac—O Lord, you told me, ‘Return to your own land and to your relatives.’ And you promised me, ‘I will treat you kindly.’ 10 I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness you have shown to me, your servant. When I left home and crossed the Jordan River, I owned nothing except a walking stick. Now my household fills two large camps! 11 O Lord, please rescue me from the hand of my brother, Esau. I am afraid that he is coming to attack me, along with my wives and children. 12 But you promised me, ‘I will surely treat you kindly, and I will multiply your descendants until they become as numerous as the sands along the seashore—too many to count.’ ”

INTRODUCTION:

I- APPROACH LIFE’S CHALLENGES WITH AN ATTITUDE OF HUMILITY. (Genesis 32:3-5)

Genesis 32:3–5 NLT

3 Then Jacob sent messengers ahead to his brother, Esau, who was living in the region of Seir in the land of Edom. 4 He told them, “Give this message to my master Esau: ‘Humble greetings from your servant Jacob. Until now I have been living with Uncle Laban, 5 and now I own cattle, donkeys, flocks of sheep and goats, and many servants, both men and women. I have sent these messengers to inform my lord of my coming, hoping that you will be friendly to me.’ ”

A- The believer’s greatest enemy in facing life’s trials is arrogance.

1- Jacob had approached life with an arrogace that demanded his own way.

a. He had sought his own way with an attitude of arrogant entitlement.

(1) He had stolen his brother’s birthright and blessing - apparently believcing it should be his own. (Genesis 25:27-34; 27:1-29)

2- The scriptures warn us about having an attitude of arrogant entitlement.

(Prov 16:18)

Proverbs 16:18 NLT

18 Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

(Rom 12:3)

Romans 12:3 NLT

3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

B- Approaching life’s trials with an attitude of humility opens the door to God’s blessing.

1- Jacob now recognizes that he is not the center of the world and is not entitled to his own way.

a. He realizes that Esau has reason to seek revenge for Jacob’s actions.

(1) Notice that Jacob now humbles himself before his brother, asking for mercy.

(Genesis 32:3-5)

Genesis 32:3–5 NLT

3 Then Jacob sent messengers ahead to his brother, Esau, who was living in the region of Seir in the land of Edom. 4 He told them, “Give this message to my master Esau: ‘Humble greetings from your servant Jacob. Until now I have been living with Uncle Laban, 5 and now I own cattle, donkeys, flocks of sheep and goats, and many servants, both men and women. I have sent these messengers to inform my lord of my coming, hoping that you will be friendly to me.’ ”

(Genesis 33:1-4)

Genesis 33:1–4 NLT

1 Then Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming with his 400 men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and his two servant wives. 2 He put the servant wives and their children at the front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last. 3 Then Jacob went on ahead. As he approached his brother, he bowed to the ground seven times before him. 4 Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.

2- The believer is counselled to be humble in the face of adversity.

(James 4:10)

James 4:10 NLT

10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

(1 Pet 5:6–7)

1 Peter 5:6–7 NLT

6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

II- ACKNOWLEDGE THE SERIOUSNESS OF LIFE’S CHALLENGES. (Genesis 32:6-8)

Genesis 32:6–8 NLT

6 After delivering the message, the messengers returned to Jacob and reported, “We met your brother, Esau, and he is already on his way to meet you—with an army of 400 men!” 7 Jacob was terrified at the news. He divided his household, along with the flocks and herds and camels, into two groups. 8 He thought, “If Esau meets one group and attacks it, perhaps the other group can escape.”

A- It is foolish to refuse to acknowledge the reality of our trials.

1- Jacob did not try to deny the circumstances he was facing.

a. He remembered that Esau had desired to kill him. (Genesis 27:41-42)

Genesis 27:41–42 NLT

41 From that time on, Esau hated Jacob because their father had given Jacob the blessing. And Esau began to scheme: “I will soon be mourning my father’s death. Then I will kill my brother, Jacob.” 42 But Rebekah heard about Esau’s plans. So she sent for Jacob and told him, “Listen, Esau is consoling himself by plotting to kill you.

b. He had fled his home and family for 20 years to escape his brother’s wrath.

(Genesis 31:42)

Genesis 31:42 NLT

42 In fact, if the God of my father had not been on my side—the God of Abraham and the fearsome God of Isaac—you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen your abuse and my hard work. That is why he appeared to you last night and rebuked you!”

B- We should always acknowledge our circumstances and our fears. (Genesis 32:7-8)

Genesis 32:7–8 NLT

7 Jacob was terrified at the news. He divided his household, along with the flocks and herds and camels, into two groups. 8 He thought, “If Esau meets one group and attacks it, perhaps the other group can escape.”

1- Jacob readily recognized and acknowledged his circumstances.

a. He heard about Esau and his army of 400 men coming to meet him.

b. He did not ignore the danger of what he was facing.

(1) He was afraid.

(2) He took what action he could to mitigate the danger.

2- Jesus even warned us about inevitable trials that would come our way,

(John 16:33)

John 16:33 NLT

33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

2- We are to acknowledge our trials and trust in God.

(Ps 119:71)

Psalm 119:71 NLT

71 My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.

(Rom 8:18)

Romans 8:18 NLT

18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.

III- APPROPRIATE THE ASSISTANCE OF GOD THROUGH PRAYER. (Genesis 32:9-12)

Genesis 32:9–12 NLT

9 Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my grandfather Abraham, and God of my father, Isaac—O Lord, you told me, ‘Return to your own land and to your relatives.’ And you promised me, ‘I will treat you kindly.’ 10 I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness you have shown to me, your servant. When I left home and crossed the Jordan River, I owned nothing except a walking stick. Now my household fills two large camps! 11 O Lord, please rescue me from the hand of my brother, Esau. I am afraid that he is coming to attack me, along with my wives and children. 12 But you promised me, ‘I will surely treat you kindly, and I will multiply your descendants until they become as numerous as the sands along the seashore—too many to count.’ ”

A- Recognize that your circumstances are beyond your ability to control.

1- When Jacob assessed the situation, he realized the circumstances (and the outcome) were beyond his control.

a. This was amazing, considering his history.

(1) Throughout his life, he had sought to manipulate circumstances to his own gain.

When he sought his brother’s birthright and blessing.

When he sought to manipulate the breeding of the herds under his care.

b. This situation was beyond any attempt to manipulate.

(1) This army of 400 warriors were more than he and his band of women, children, servants and livestock could handle.

2- We need to realize that our circumstances are beyond our ability to control.

(James 4:13–15)

James 4:13–15 NLT

13 Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” 14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. 15 What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”

B- Seek God for His intervention and help with your circumstances. (Genesis 32:9-12)

Genesis 32:9–12 NLT

9 Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my grandfather Abraham, and God of my father, Isaac—O Lord, you told me, ‘Return to your own land and to your relatives.’ And you promised me, ‘I will treat you kindly.’ 10 I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness you have shown to me, your servant. When I left home and crossed the Jordan River, I owned nothing except a walking stick. Now my household fills two large camps! 11 O Lord, please rescue me from the hand of my brother, Esau. I am afraid that he is coming to attack me, along with my wives and children. 12 But you promised me, ‘I will surely treat you kindly, and I will multiply your descendants until they become as numerous as the sands along the seashore—too many to count.’ ”

1- Jacob sought God for help with his circumstances.

a. Jacob recognized that God was his only hope.

b. Jacob recognized that God was Lord of all of the past.

c. Jacob confessed that he was not worthy of God’s blessings.

d. Jacob reminded God that he had left for home at God’s command.

e. Jacob had reminded God of His promises to Jacob.

f. Jacob wrestled with God until the assurance of his blessing was given. (Genesis 32:22-32)

Genesis 32:22–32 NLT

22 During the night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two servant wives, and his eleven sons and crossed the Jabbok River with them. 23 After taking them to the other side, he sent over all his possessions. 24 This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. 25 When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 “What is your name?” the man asked. He replied, “Jacob.” 28 “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.” 29 “Please tell me your name,” Jacob said. “Why do you want to know my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there. 30 Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.” 31 The sun was rising as Jacob left Peniel, and he was limping because of the injury to his hip. 32 (Even today the people of Israel don’t eat the tendon near the hip socket because of what happened that night when the man strained the tendon of Jacob’s hip.)

2- We are to seek God for his help with our trials and circumstances.

(Philippians 4:6-7)

Philippians 4:6–7 NLT

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

a. It all starts with the confession of our inability to handle the situation.

(Ps 62:8)

Psalm 62:8 NLT

8 O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

b. Remember that God was faithful in the past.

(Ps 36:5)

Psalm 36:5 NLT

5 Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.

c. Confess your unworthiness of God’s blessings - they come by grace!

d. Evaluate your obedience of God’s direction.

(1) Confess your sin of disobedience if you haven’t been obedient.

(1 John 1:9)

1 John 1:9 NLT

9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

e. Pray based on a reliance on God’s promises.

(Heb 4:16)

Hebrews 4:16 NLT

16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

f. Keep praying until you have assurance of God’s help.

(Matt 7:7–8)

Matthew 7:7–8 NLT

7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

CONCLUSION:

A- Summary:

1- APPROACH LIFE’S CHALLENGES WITH AN ATTITUDE OF HUMILITY.

2- ACKNOWLEDGE THE SERIOUSNESS OF LIFE’S CHALLENGES.

3- APPROPRIATE THE ASSISTANCE OF GOD THROUGH PRAYER.