Freely Speaking Audio Devotion

Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts

and trust God for transformation.

Today’s devotion was written by Shayla Bullock. Our scripture reading is from Genesis 33:3-4 NIV.

“He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept” (Genesis 33:3-4 NIV).

Have you ever experienced a broken relationship? You miss the relationship but don’t know how to fix it or even if you should try. Because we live in a fallen world, sometimes, relationships can be messy, challenging, or even broken.

I can relate. My relationship with my biological father has gone through stages of brokenness and estrangement. I haven’t always known how to navigate this difficult relationship. However, as I reflect on Genesis 33:3-4, I see proof through Jacob and Esau that broken relationships can be healed, and reconciliation can be achieved.

Jacob and Esau were twin brothers who were opposites and at odds from birth. They had an adversarial relationship that was on a fast path to destruction. Jacob steals his brother’s blessing by tricking their father. His brother’s actions understandably angered Esau. Most would be angered! Esau was enraged to the point that he desired to kill his brother.

These brothers ended up estranged for fourteen years. That is a long time for a relationship to be broken. However, there was a time for them to meet again. With everything that had happened, could the broken relationship be repaired? How would Esau respond?

Esau chose forgiveness over harboring previous grievances. He chose mercy over judgment. He decided to embrace Jacob rather than reject him. Let us take time to reflect on Esau’s response.

Indeed, we look more like Christ when we choose reconciliation over alienation and estrangement. God chose to reconcile us to Himself through Jesus Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19 NIV).

If God is aligning a reconciliation opportunity for a broken relationship, how can/should you

respond?

Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OhSoFree Ministries,

please visit us at www.ohsofreeministries.com