Devotions From the Heart: Being Alone

by Derek Gitsham

"And Jacob was left alone and there wrestled
a man with him until the breaking of the day."
Genesis 32:24

This chapter in the life of Jacob is a very crucial
moment in his life. It was the plan of God to meet
with Jacob, and bless him like never before. However,
the circumstances surrounding this event were
troublesome.

Jacob’s brother Esau was very angry with Jacob after
he had succeeded in deceiving Isaac, Esau and Jacob’s
father, into blessing him instead of his brother Esau.
Esau was intent on slaying Jacob after this
(Genesis 27:4).

However, when they finally meet, God had taken care
of the situation and Esau does not want to hurt his
brother. There is a new reason for this. Scripture
says, ‘When a man’s ways please the Lord he makes
even his enemies to be at peace with him.’

When Jacob and Esau finally meet it is after the Lord
has met with Jacob, and his name is changed, and is
blessed by God. Being right with God, allows God to
work in your circumstances, and threatening situations
are overruled by God’s sovereign power. The Lord
meeting Jacob changes him beyond recognition.

Arriving at this place was brought about by God
bringing Jacob to where he was alone. Being
alone is part of God’s dealings with His people.
Isaiah 51:2 says that ‘God called Abraham alone.’
God has to separate us all from people and friends,
to get us to Himself.

Many suffer from loneliness, but God wants us to
use loneliness to get to Him. The moment Jacob
was left alone, the angel of the Lord came to Him.
How often the Lord is working towards coming to
His saints and blessing them when they are alone,
but because of ignorance we try to fill the void
when God is wanting to meet with us.

If you are being left alone, don’t be afraid, but
use this time to meet with the Lord. He is wanting
you for Himself. The Shulamite woman in the Song
of Solomon was left alone by her lover to see whether
she would go after Him. Go after Jesus, dear saint,
when you are alone. It is not for you, but for God.
He is waiting for us.