Morning Devotional 011426 Cross the Barriers and Find Love

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

January 14, 2026

Genesis 33:1-9

1 Jacob looked up and saw Esau approaching with four hundred men. Jacob divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two women servants. 2 He put the servants and their children first, Leah and her children after them, and Rachel and Joseph last. 3 He himself went in front of them and bowed to the ground seven times as he was approaching his brother. 4 But Esau ran to meet him, threw his arms around his neck, kissed him, and they wept. 5 Esau looked up and saw the women and children and said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children that God generously gave your servant.” 6 The women servants and their children came forward and bowed down. 7 Then Leah and her servants also came forward and bowed, and afterward Joseph and Rachel came forward and bowed. 8 Esau said, “What’s the meaning of this entire group of animals that I met?” Jacob said, “To ask for my master’s kindness.” 9 Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what’s yours.”

Good Morning! God blesses us beyond measure.

Forgiveness is the greatest gift we have to offer one another. Jacob had cheated Esau of his birthright, and Esau had vowed to kill him. Jacob fled in fear for his life. Twenty years later, God commanded Jacob to return home. 

We can only imagine the fear Jacob felt about this. He assumed that he was walking into death. He gathered gifts to appease his brother and prepared his family for the encounter. When Esau approached with what appeared to be an army (400 men), Jacob worked to set the stage for their encounter. 

Instead of violence, Esau ran forward and embraced his brother. After a few minutes of introductions, Esau told Jacob to keep the gifts he had prepared because he had all he needed. 

I am saddened when I hear of families who have been torn apart by siblings arguing over what they think should belong to them (land, money, or birthrights). Too many times, these splits are never reconciled. Both sides live out their lives in fear and anger of the other. Many generations pass, and no one alive even knows why the great divide happened. 

God calls us to let go of our desire for earthly possessions and be satisfied by what God provides. We should not allow the mistakes of our past to control our future. If we set aside those arguments, we can live in harmony as God’s children. 

Redeeming Lord, you bless us abundantly! We find so many ways to place barriers between us. Help us accept one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you. We love you. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Thought for the day: All we have needed God’s hand has provided.

Focus on God’s love instead of earthly possessions. Pastor Liz