YOUR PERSONAL ESAU
"Now Jacob lifted his eyes and looked, and there, Esau was coming, and with him were four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants." Genesis 33:1.
Genesis chapter 32 ends with a remarkable image from the life of Jacob. The text says in verse 31, “And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.” The sun was shining on Jacob, and a new day had dawned in his life. He had wrestled with God and his life has now taken a entirely new turn. Jacob is no longer the manipulator but Israel a prince.
God had given him a new beginning, a new name and a new identity. But there was something left undone. Twenty years before, Jacob had fled from his father’s house in order to escape the rage of Esau, the brother he had cheated out of the family blessings. He had not sought forgiveness. Jacob wanted to make things right. He had stolen the birthright and all the inheritance that goes with it.
During the years in exile, Jacob built a strong home and large family. He matured in character. But there’s one thing Jacob couldn't do: erasing a guilty conscience. The past is finally catching up with him. As soon as daybreak comes, Jacob sees Esau coming. What will happen when Jacob meets him after all these years? Has Esau’s anger waned? Has he forgiven what Jacob did to him?
The four hundred men coming with Esau didn’t sound like a welcoming party. Esau was not in a joyful mood; he was approaching Jacob with a battalion. In the military, a battalion is a force of at least 400 soldiers. Recognizing that all he had was a lot of livestock, some women and his children, verse 7 says, “Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed…” Terror filled his heart. Jacob shook with fear at the thought of what his brother might do to him and his family.
NEW BEGINNINGS:
“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:18-19. Every end is a new beginning!
A new beginning is an opportunity to start over. It is a fresh start. For some people, it may be a second chance. A new beginning is a clean slate. It is the start of something new. A new beginning is the start of a new season. It is going down a new path. A new beginning is to let go of the old. It is a new possibilities and blessings. New beginnings are new openings! God is the only One who can and will consistently give us the chance to start over, and over again. He's a God of new beginnings! You, too, can have a new beginning. Regardless of your past, your life can still be rebooted. The story of your life is not over! There may be a comma, colon or semi-colon but there is no full stop. So if men see an end for you, its nothing but a bend. If people see an end to your story, there's a new beginning. If others are seeing setback its only a comeback. No matter how many times you fall, stumble, rebel, or make wrong choices, God’s grace gives a fresh start, a new beginning.
FACING THE PAST:
As Jacob was stepping into a new beginning, Esau was waiting. There's no one without a past! The past, whether we like it or not, is part of us. We wouldn't be where we are today if it weren't for what happened yesterday. The past affects the present and the future. Proverbs 22:8 confirm that it is what you sow in the past that you reap in the present. We're a product of the decisions we made yesterday. Every action that we take is influenced by the experiences we had in the past. The past holds a lot of memories for each of us. Some of these memories will be good and pleasant to remember; some of them painful and frightening. We often allow the things we’ve been through to stop us from making progress.
Are you silently hurting because you’re living with a secret from your past? Are you haunted because of the past? Sadly, there are many people today, who are living with constant nightmare, ugly thoughts and dreams of the past. They cannot seem to be able to forget the past and move on. We allow the past to stop us from taking new opportunities. Many allow the feelings of guilt, regrets, rejections, pain, depression, betrayals, bereavement, and self pity to overwhelm them to the extent that it becomes difficult to move on. Living in the past is a sure way to ruin the present and destroy the future. There is no need to walk around carrying guilt and condemnation about our past when God has already released us from that burden.
Let go. In order to walk in the newness of life, we must forget the past and forgive as well. Your history is not your destiny. Your destiny supersedes your mistakes! God wants us to move on toward the future He has planned for us. It’s a future filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11. To get there, we’ve got to turn our focus forward. God has forgotten and forgiven. Stop remembering what God has forgotten! "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." Hebrews 8:12. So, rise up and move into the blessings ahead of you. Refuse to focus on the guilt and fear of yesterday. Let go of the past. Stop making excuses for the past. Meditate on God's promises. Trust God for a fresh start. Refocus your mind, energy and goals on today's opportunities. Take action. Prepare for harvest! It’s not too late. You’re not too old! It’s not over. You can start afresh! Move beyond your past and cross over into a new beginning. Today is a gift! Yes, a gift from God to erase all the ugly memories of yesterday and starting afresh. Regardless of the past, you can still make it!
WHAT MUST WE DO?
1. Have a divine encounter:
Jacob's divine encounter came when he got alone. An encounter is a divine appointment. It is a time in your life when God shows up. The place of encounter is a place of worship and revelation. Many Christians have an encounter with God when they accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Are you born again? We can deeper the encounter daily by reading the Word and praying.
2. Repent: 2 Corinthians 7:10.
Godly sorrow brings repentance. Godly sorrow leaves no room for regrets. Jacob experienced regret and repentance for his past. Regret and repentance are two different things. Regret is wishing something had never happened. Repentance is taking action to prevent something from happening again. Regret leads to remorse, but only repentance leads to change. Is your past catching up with you? Repent, come to God and let Him forgive you. Once forgiven, move forward.
3. Receive God's forgiveness.
If you continue to condemn yourself after receiving the grace and forgiveness of Christ, aren't you rejecting God's mercy? Forgiving yourself is letting go of what you are holding against yourself so that you can move on into God's greater purpose for your life. Stop hating yourself; receive God's mercy and forgiveness today. You’re worthy of love. You're forgiven! Forgive yourself.
4. Pray:
Esau was coming to meet Jacob with four hundred men. The situation did not look good but he prayed and God gave him favour with Esau. Are you haunted by the ghosts of the past? Is the Esau of your past catching up with you? Then, get into your prayer closet and you shall be victorious.
5. Have faith:
Jacob limps toward his tense reunion with Esau with a weakened body but a strengthened faith in God. Our faith develops as we listen to, study, and immersing ourselves in God's Word. Romans 10:7. Have faith in God and in His promises. When you believe His Word you put Him to work.
6. Seek deliverance and healing from the past.
Holding on to the past is sin because it keeps us from obeying God’s call to move on. Seek healing for a broken heart. Know that God understands and feels your pain. Give up trying to change what happened in the past. Instead, ask Him to help you let go.
7. Let go of bitterness.
Holding on to bitterness will poison your soul. Forgiveness is the only way to move forward. Learn to forgive, even when you're repeatedly offended. Forgiveness doesn’t depend on what you consider fair, reasonable, or just, it’s a matter of obedience. Get bitterness out of your life today.
8. Detach from unhealthy attachments.
Don’t waste valuable time and energy trying to hold on to someone or something from the past if that person or thing doesn’t have a place in your present or future. Refuse to wallow in sorrow and self-pity. Trust God to give you new beginnings filled with hopes and promises.
9. Move on. You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one.
Everyone has a story, and every story book has chapters. The scars, failures, and heartaches tells the story of your life. What’s your own story? It's not over! You’re a work in progress. The last chapters of your life has not yet been written. God has not given up on you. Don't let what happened in the past hinders you from the greater purpose God has for you. Stretch for the future and be fruitful.
10. Fulfill your potential.
Everyone has potential. Potential is what you are capable of doing or becoming. Ask God to help you find, discover and pursue His purposes for your life. Pray for a new vision. Focus on your potential; and not your past or limitations. Find what you like to do, and strive to do it with excellence. Focus daily on your greatest source of strengths. Step boldly into your future.
SEEK RECONCILIATION:
Have you ever been hurt by someone close to you, and wanted to hurt them back or get even? Esau had those feelings. We would justify him acting on them. But he chose reconciliation. Biblical reconciliation is the process of two previously offended parties coming to peace with each other.
Reconciliation begins with God. Because God has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, we can reconcile with each other. “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone.” Hebrews 12:14. None of us perfect! We differ in opinion, ideas and perceptions. Offences will come as we relate. But holding onto it builds a barrier that blocks us from our destiny. Be a peacemaker! Forgive quickly. Learn to confront issues biblically. Cultivate the fruit of the Spirit. Make a decision not to revenge. Give the situation to God in prayers. Love unconditionally. The true test of love is the capacity to forgive. It’s a new day.
A MESSAGE TO THE HURTING:
Esau was hurting for twenty years. What if, like Esau, you have been the victim of mistreatment at the hands of others? What if you too have been betrayed, cheated on, abused, and falsely accused? We’re all wounded! Many of us carry around grudges, anger, and bitterness toward others for some wrong committed against us. But we must let go of the weight today. God has great things for us. We must no longer be held prisoners paying the price for someone else's hurt or wrongdoing. Today, you can choose freedom by choosing to forgive. There is a new beginning.
Are you an Esau? Someone done you wrong and God has convicted them to seek forgiveness. Forgive. Don’t hold grudge. Let go of bitterness. You must let go of the past and move forward.
Now is the time to determine that you will press forward and press into a new beginning. Today is the day you begin again! It doesn’t matter what you’ve been through, nor the many times you’ve fallen, all that matters now is your readiness to start anew. Your tomorrow is glorious.
If you are willing to surrender your life to Jesus Christ, then pray this prayer: LORD Jesus, I come to You right now. I know I am a sinner, please forgive me. With my mouth, I declare that Jesus, from today, I accept You as the LORD of my life. Change my heart from a disobedient heart to a heart that will obey You. With my new heart, I believe that it is because of me that You came into this world; You died for my sins, take away my problems, fill me with Your Holy Spirit, write my name in the Book of Life, and make me brand new in Jesus name.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Dear Father, I thank You for a new beginning, in Jesus name.
2. O Lord, guide me to a hopeful future, in Jesus name.
3. Today, as I am moving on from the past, Oh Lord, bless me with inner peace, in Jesus name.
4. My today and my tomorrow shall be better than my yesterday, in Jesus name.
5. Thank God for answering your prayers.
