God's Sustaining Hope

Hope seldom excludes fear, anxiety and worry. Yet hope gives assurance to press on even when it’s necessary to hold other emotions in check. When Jacob made peace with his father-in-law, he immediately had to prepare to meet his brother Esau. These meetings proved to be a turning point in his life.

The night before Jacob was to meet the brother, it wasn't just his brother he had the face; he had to face God and himself. To think of facing God is an awesome thought. Jacob had to do business with God, who held his destiny in his hands. Whatever Jacob had done could not be hidden from the Lord God.

Jacob was fearful and worried about meeting his brother, but his hope lay in the power of God to deliver him. Listen as he reminds God. "You, O God, promised, 'I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea.'" Hope in God's unfailing promises will sustain all who believe, even in life’s worst crises.