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January 28, 2021

Genesis 33:8-11

Esau asked, “What’s the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?”
“To find favor in your eyes, my lord,” he said But Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.” No, please!” said Jacob. “If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably. Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it.

New International Version (NIV)

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133:1). Twins are the order of the day in our world. My oldest brother’s oldest son has twin boys who are about to turn one. Fraternal twins, they are not exactly alike. Sunday, one of our new families introduced me to their twin sons who are not yet three months old. Beautiful children. We had waited for them and prayed for them. We wonder what God has in store for them!

              Esau and Jacob never seem to have had that beautiful moment as twins. Jacob was grasping from the start, stealing from his brother every chance he got. After he grappled with God, he prepared to face the consequences of the many ways he had offended his older brother. How do you pay somebody back when you have stolen from them your whole life? Ever the materialist, Jacob decided to send herds to his brother. Perhaps he could buy his brother’s love back.

              The whole family held their breath as the brothers met. Jacob assumed the worst. Esau intended the best. The one thing Jacob most needed from his brother was forgiveness. When he found it he said, “To see your face is like seeing the face of God.” The face of forgiveness is the face of God.

              Someone has wronged us, taken advantage of us and mistreated us.   Are we prepared to forgive them as God has forgiven us? Who is waiting on our forgiveness today? So often the broken relationships are in our own families. One way we show others the face of our God is by forgiving them. And when we do, the face of God shines with delight like the sun rising on a clear morning!

Pray with me:

Father, thank you for forgiving us freely through the sacrifice of your Son. We can never repay you for all you have done for us. Help us then, we pray, to share your grace with others today, forgiving freely from the heart. May others see your face in our faces as we forgive. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Scripture memorization for this week:

2 Corinthians 10:12

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.

1 John 3:18

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

New International Version (NIV)

Our 2021 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations Bible reading plan. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy here:

2021 Reading Plan

We would love for you to join us as we read through the Bible in one year, while still having the flexibility of reading 5 days per week. In addition, I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year. We will also memorize 2 scriptures each week. As we journal together this year, Robby Gallaty’s H.E.A.R. plan is a good resource: Highlight a verse that stands out to you, Explain what it means, Apply that truth to your life and Respond to what you’ve read with an action or prayer.

Joyfully,
Duane

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Houston, TX | 77024 US

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