THE STORY OF JESUS: Genesis 32:1-33:20
“You have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” (Genesis 32:28)
God-struggler, what a great name for God’s people.
This is not a negative name, but an encouragement for those who do not give up.
Faith in God is like that, it is a struggle to hang on, a refusal to let go.
Bless the soul that never struggles, but I am not that kind of person.
My struggles are a mix of real questions, satanic attacks and personal weakness.
I do not pretend to have easy answers to the tough questions.
And I readily admit that doubts and uncertainties continue to swirl in my mind.
But I refuse to let go… and I thank the Spirit of Jesus who wrestles with me, in me.
Jacob was a heel-puller (Genesis 25:26), a deceiver, and this keeps coming back to bite him.
Here he lives in fear of his brother because of what he did to him.
But he moves ahead anyway, refusing to let go, and in the end he is rewarded…
“For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably.” (Genesis 33:10)
Life will continue to be a struggle in this sin-messed world; we will continue to walk with a limp (32:31).
But at the end of this path, we will see God, and we will overcome!
As Job says, through all his struggles… “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes — I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! (Job 19:25-27)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I wrestle too, but I refuse to let go. I am a God-struggler that will see Your face one day! How my heart yearns within me.
How much I needed to read this post at 2am this morning.
It’s like this annoying fly on one side buzzing lies of give up, nobody loves you, you aren’t strong enough to a butterfly on the other trying to get your attention reminding you of the truth. I wrestle every night with uncertainities and doubts and often wonder if God really ever hears or cares.
But even so I refuse to let go because his hold on me is all I really know.
Living for Jesus.
Walking and talking and praising God.
The upward look and NOT the downward look.
Placing my hand in His.
God will take care of you.
These are just some of the thoughts that came to me as I read the story of Jacob. In my struggles I must rely on His promises and not try to solve my struggles my way. At all times I need to place my hand in His and that is COMFORT.
In doubt and temptation I rest, Lord, in Thee;
My hand is in Thy hand, Thou carest for me;
My soul with Thy counsel through life Thou wilt guide,
And afterward make me in glory abide.
Refrain
My God, I will extol Thee
And ever bless Thy Name;
Each day will I give thanks to Thee
And all Thy praise proclaim.
In glory Thou only my portion shall be,
On earth for none other I long for but Thee;
My flesh and heart falter, but God is my stay,
The strength of my spirit, my portion for aye.
Refrain
All they that forsake Thee must perish and die,
But near to my Savior most blessèd am I;
I make Thee my refuge, my Lord and my God;
Thy grace and Thy glory I publish abroad.
Refrain