“So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” 42 And the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said to him, “Surely your brother Esau comforts himself concerning you by intending to kill you. 43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice: arise, flee to my brother Laban in Haran. 44 And stay with him a few days, until your brother’s fury turns away, 45 until your brother’s anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him; then I will send and bring you from there. Why should I be bereaved also of you both in one day?” 46 And Rebekah said to Isaac, “I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth; if Jacob takes a wife of the daughters of Heth, like these who are the daughters of the land, what good will my life be to me?” Genesis 27:41-46 NKJV
God who makes peace,
There seems to be a time for keeping the peace and a time for making peace. Here Rebekah seeks to keep the peace by separating the two brothers. Esau is not ready and Jacob would rather run away. Well it is a coping mechanism that I know well. Trouble, avoid. Someone angry with me, avoid. Don’t want to deal with now, avoid. Sometimes that is right. And when both sides have cooled, apologies can be made or points of view aired calmly.
One thing I have learned, from You Lord, is that it is not all black and white. Sometimes You lead us to avoid and at other times You ask us to stand. And another thing I am learning, that if I try and pretend there is not a problem You Lord keep reminding me of it till I humble myself. So I will ask You to help me resolve it. Unless it is one of those things that someone else is not willing to deal with.
But Jacob runs to somewhere safe. And eventually he is ready to return. I know there is a lot more happens in between, but Esau has mellowed over the years. Accepted his part and peace can be made. Help me, in the variety of circumstances in life, to know when to avoid conflict and when and if it is Your time to resolve it. And help us with the how. Better that these things did not arise but life is not that simple . . . Thank You Lord for being my Prince of Peace.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 16th January 2026
With ev’ry morning I will kneel to pray,
To be a blessing in this coming day
In ev’rything I say and ev’rything I do,
To wholly honour you.
At noon remind me through this day to give
My full attention to the ones I’m with,
Be mindful of those things around and those within,
And fully enter in.
Teach me the wisdom of remembering,
And give me the wisdom to forget.
Lead me, Oh, teach me to live each day for you.
And in the evening as my thoughts retell
This passing day let me remember well;
So that no bitterness takes root within my soul,
Help me to let them go.
Chorus
And in the night-time may my mind be free
To truly rest and be refreshed in sleep;
And by releasing every worry, every strain,
Be free to start again.
Chorus
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me and before;
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in peace and Christ in storm;
Christ in hearts of all who know me,
Christ in friend and stranger all.
Lyrics: Mark Edwards, Stuart Townend.