YOU SAID

Today's reading: Genesis 32-35

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.’  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! 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. 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.’” Genesis 32:9-12 NLT

As we listen to Jacob pray, we have to remember...

-Jacob didn't have 3.2(a 2024 average in American homes) printed Bibles laying about his home.

-Jacob probably couldn't read if he had owned the 3.2 Bibles.

-Jacob would have needed servants to carry the scrolls of Scripture any 1 Bible might require, let alone 3.2 of them.

Jacob held God's words in his heart.

A place where they were stored as treasures.

A place where they were safe from anyone stealing them away.

Jacob was able to pray with confidence the words God had spoken to him.

Word for word.

In context.

God's promises, not a preacher's homiletic presentation, an author's commentary or a 'story passed down from friend to friend'.

Jacob spoke God's promises back him because he held them so near and dear to his heart.

Friend, shouldn't we do the same?

Shouldn't our Bibles be poured over, searched through and studied so in depth that we know God's words by heart--so much so, that we use His own words in all our requests?

Dust off your Bibles.

Hide His words in your heart.

Know Him well enough to quote Him!