Jacob said, “No, please, if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand. For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me. – Genesis 33:10

Christmas is over. Gifts have been unwrapped. Our loved ones have shared in the joys of giving and receiving. In Genesis 33:8, we find Jacob bringing gifts to “find favor” with Esau.

Life can bring us some bad situations or hard feelings. Maybe a friend deserted you in a time of need, or a relative became jealous of an inheritance you acquired without any work. Whatever the case may be, we can feel cheated as Esau did. However, we don’t have to remain bitter. We can remove bitterness from our lives by honestly expressing our feelings to God, forgiving those who have wronged us, and being content with what we have.

For Jacob and Esau, time away from each other allowed the bitter wounds to heal. Jacob was so relieved to see a forgiving brother. It was like seeing “the face of God”. Jacob’s statement of seeing the “face of God” was God’s answer to his prayers.

God took His Son Jesus as an atonement for our sins and we are forgiven. All our sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus. Our gift to others is to spread this saving message to the ends of the earth. May we look upon others who have received Jesus as their Savior and see the face of God shining for all to see.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you said in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Help us go out into the world with a forgiving heart and be Your light to the world.

Daily Reading: Ephesians 2

– Contributed by Brenda Saunders