Wrestling with God

Genesis 32:2
And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks."
But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!"

The Lord told Jacob, "Return to the land of your fathers and your family, and I will be with you." Throughout the journey God was faithful to Jacob. The road home was not easy, giving Jacob opportunities to turn back, questioning the Word of God. Instead Jacob continued to call on the Name of the Lord, praying for His guidance. Before meeting his brother, Esau, Jacob sent his entire family ahead of him. It is here we find Jacob wrestling with God.

What did God say?
      "Let Me go, for the day breaks." God is telling Jacob to let Him go.

Jacob's reply:
       "I will not let You go unless You bless me." Jacob is determined to be blessed by God.

After reading this portion of Scripture and realizing it is Jacob hanging on so tightly to God, I asked myself, "How willing am I to wrestle with God until He blesses me? How long will I sit at His feet, cry out in desperation, sit quietly before Him, or rest in His Word without growing faint, before I become discouraged and let go?"

This wrestling lasted throughout the night. God said to Jacob, "Let Me go for the dawn breaks." Morning was near, the night coming to an end.

         "Weeping may endure for a night,
           But joy comes in the morning."
                                         Psalm 30:5

Life can seem so hard when the night is near. The darkness only seems to magnify the heartache. God does not leave us without hope. He promises that we may weep in the night, in the dark places of our soul, but with God there will come a morning when the sun will shine again. As we continue crying out to Him He promises;

           "He has made all things beautiful in its time."
                                         Ecclesiastes 3:11

God blessed Jacob's persistence. He knew Jacob would not let go until He blessed him.

Once again I asked myself, "Where have I given up on ever receiving an answer from God? What has been a burden on my heart for so long it has become a way of life, with no hope for an answer?" Could it be I have begun wavering in my trust in God and His promises?

What about you? Is is a wayward child, a lost loved one, a diagnosis that looks impossible, a financial burden too heavy to bear, a difficult relationship? It is so hard to hang on tight to God, wrestle with Him until morning when the night seems so long.

It is when we are in this place we need to draw strength from God's promise;

           "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
                                          James 4:8

As we draw near to God we can be sure He hears our prayers and draws near to us. May we be like Jacob and cry out to the Lord, "I will not let You go until You bless me," and wait with great anticipation for how the Lord will answer our prayer.

Lord Jesus,
   Help me be as determined as  Jacob and not let go until You bless me.
                                           In Your precious name I pray,
                                                                     Amen

Without Doubt

 Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days."

Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" John11:39-40

Lazarus had died four days before Jesus came to their home. It was too late to save him. He had died and by now there would be a stench. That is what it looked like to all who were present. When Jesus told Martha to take away the stone her reply was to explain why this couldn't possibly be the answer to their heartache. 

I see myself so clearly in this story. How often have I questioned God when He has told me to do something, explaining to Him why His way couldn't possibly be the answer to my situation? What must He do to convince me His Word is right and what He tells me to do I can trust, even when I don't understand. 

He tells me to bless those who persecute me. Romans 12:14

He tells me to commit my works to Him, and He will establish my thoughts. Proverbs 16:3

He tells me to cast all my burdens on Him and He will sustain me. Psalm 55:22

He tells me to be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let my requests be made known to Him; and His peace which surpasses all understanding will guard my heart and mind through Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:6-7

How often have I treated these promises as suggestions? Could it be I doubt His Word? 

He tells me to bless those who persecute me; I resent them.

He tells me to commit my works to Him and let Him establish my thoughts; I try to figure life out on my own. 

He tells me to cast my burdens on Him; I carry them around with me, allowing them to weigh heavy on my heart.

He tells me to be anxious for nothing; I worry. 

His promises for my obedience are endless, providing what I long for; peace, direction, hope, and a calm in my soul. Could this be what He meant when He said, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.  John 10:10

Have I allowed the enemy of my soul to steal, kill, and destroy what Jesus died on the cross to give me? When my response to His leading is to explain to Him why His ways couldn't possibly be the answer, am I missing out on the abundant life He has for me? 

Martha rolled away the stone and as Jesus promised, they saw the glory of God as Lazarus was raised from the dead. 

In our lives we have choices. We can choose to do as Jesus tells us to do and live the abundant life of peace and hope regardless of our circumstances, or explain to Him why His way couldn't possibly be the answer and do things our way. 

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." May that be our chose. 

Lord Jesus,

Thank you for the abundant life you offer so freely. May I be willing to trust and not doubt, and walk in Your ways. Help me hear Your voice saying, "This is the way walk in it," and follow You always. 

                                                                                  In Your precious name I pray,

                                                                                                                   Amen