Delivered, though unworthy
by Carolyn Ehrlich
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I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown [me] … Please deliver me from the hand of my brother (Genesis 32:10a,11a).
Read Genesis 32:3–21
Unworthy. I don’t know about you, but when I feel unworthy, I often focus on what is wrong with me. How broken I am. I also want to please others. I certainly would come with gifts to placate a brother who would rightly be angry with me. Jacob does that, too. But he also recognises and appreciates the steadfast love and faithfulness that God has shown him. He has been blessed with family, livestock and riches, and he knows it. Despite his brokenness, God has continually shown Jacob how much he is loved. And still, Jacob is frightened of Esau. So, he boldly asks God for deliverance even though he is unworthy.
From today’s reading, one reality and two questions arise for me, which I think deserve to be pondered. The reality: God’s love is steadfast, unchanging, ongoing, given, a gift, unwavering, believable, trustworthy, available and demonstrated. When I think about the vastness and certainty of God’s love for me, I am overwhelmed. Still, it is right and proper to think about God’s love for you. Like Paul, it leads me to say:
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38,39).
Based on this unwavering, steadfast love of God, the two questions that I think deserve consideration are: ‘Where has God shown his steadfast love for you in your life?’ and ‘What can you boldly ask him to deliver you from today?’
Jacob had good reason to be frightened that Esau would harm or kill him. But he turned to God for deliverance. We, too, can and should turn to God for deliverance. Does that mean things will go the way we want? No. But they will go the way God wants. His love is steadfast. He is faithful and delivers us, even though we are unworthy. Praise God.
My Father in Heaven, thank you for your steadfastness. Thank you for all the mercies you extend to me every day. Thank you for always loving me. Thank you for the many blessings you give me each day. Today, I come before you and boldly ask you to deliver me from [fill in the whatever you need here]. Through your Son, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
Carolyn Ehrlich lives in retirement with her husband Wayne in Ipswich, Queensland. Prior to retirement, Carolyn worked as a researcher in the disability and rehabilitation fields. Today, Carolyn keeps busy with hobbies, supporting the Ipswich Lutheran Parish in various leadership roles and supporting her family.
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