Genesis 32:9-12

THOUGH this promise was given to Jacob, it was not confined to him, but is intended for all his spiritual seed. It is thus God speaks to us this morning. How gracious! We know not what a day may bring forth, but we know our God, who superintends every event, will do us good. We may mistake as to what will be for our good, but He is infinite in wisdom and goodness, and therefore cannot. We may look at afflictions, losses, and crosses, and cry out, "All these things are against me!" But read...

SO the Lord promised Jacob; and the promises made unto our fathers, He will fulfill unto us their children. But such a promise does not exclude great trials, sore temptations, deep personal afflictions, fiery persecutions, poverty, disappointments, and perplexity; all these things may happen unto us, and yet the Lord deal well with us. The promise secures the sanctification of our troubles, the communication of grace, deliverance from all real evils, the supply of all wants, and the...

"And Thou saidst, I will surely do thee good." Genesis 32:12

This is the sure way of prevailing with the LORD in prayer. We may humbly remind Him of what He has said. Our faithful God will never run back from His word, nor will He leave it unfulfilled; yet He loves to be enquired of by His people and put in mind of His promise. This is refreshing to their memories, reviving to their faith, and renewing to their hope. God's Word...

When Jacob was on the other side of the brook Jabbok, and Esau was coming with armed men, he earnestly sought God's protection, and as a master reason he pleaded, "And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good." Oh, the force of that plea! He was holding God to his word-"Thou saidst." The attribute of God's faithfulness is a splendid horn of the altar to lay hold upon; but the promise, which has in it the attribute and something more, is a yet mightier holdfast-"Thou saidst, I will surely do...