Corona Devo 197

In Genesis Chapter 32, Jacob had an interesting experience where he literally wrestled with God.  

Have we ever done the same?  Or are we currently struggling with God for control of a relationship, situation or sickness?  Or perhaps it is not God we are wrestling with, but something else.  Either way, we can be sure that the Lord is working on us and in us through our struggle.

Jacob's wrestling match occurred during the night (some of my mental ones do too!), and I am not sure what his visibility of his opponent was like, but I know that we also often wrestle with faceless enemies in our lives: such as status, fear, memories, or expectations.  And sometimes we know exactly who or what we are struggling against: the circumstance won't change or the person won't budge.  Either way, the Lord is working in us even as we struggle with Him or with our current situation.  

Jacob wrestled with "the man" all night--he didn't give up or give in.  And neither can we.  If we know/feel/sense that we are on God's path in a situation, we have to hang on, even during life's scuffles.  We may have to fight for our family time, or for quality time with our spouse, or for a moment of quiet to ourselves.    

Jacob didn't give up easily, and God rewarded his perseverance with blessing.  

24 This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. 25 When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!”

But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

27 “What is your name?” the man asked.

He replied, “Jacob.”

28 “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.”

29 “Please tell me your name,” Jacob said.

“Why do you want to know my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there.

30 Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.” 31 The sun was rising as Jacob left Peniel, and he was limping because of the injury to his hip. ~Genesis 32:24-31

Did you notice that Jacob sustained an injury during the wrestling match?  (When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. ~Genesis 32:25).  Having faith in God is not perfect or painless.  Following God's lead in our lives may cause injury to our hearts or our relationships. (Friends and family may not "get" the choices we are making in Christ.)  But we have to accept these injuries.  We are living to please Christ, and not to please others. 

And I do not believe Jacob's hip socket was a punishment.  I believe it became a physical reminder of Jacob's encounter with God.  It did not stop Jacob (and he was limping because of the injury to his hip), but it did slow him down.  I need to do that myself, how about you?  

It's possible (probable?) that we may sustain personal injury (usually emotional) in following God and His will in our lives, and that is okay.  Because Jacob (1) Wrestled in faith, and then (2) He was injured as he persevered in faith, and (Wait for it...We too will have to wait for it in our lives: but it WILL come...)- (3) Jacob was blessed by his perseverance in his faith.  From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won (Genesis 32:28).

If we need a banner flying over us to encourage us to keep our heads down and to stay in the game for Christ, then these verses are IT!  When God calls us to it, He will bring us through it, and our end-of-the-bargain is to keep on fighting for Him.  Let's persevere in living God's way the best that we can today, and let others handle themselves in the ring.  We can only be responsible for us. 

Today, if we are struggling with God (or anyone) for control of a relationship or situation, we can be sure that the Lord is working on us and in us through our struggle.  And if we don't give up, a blessing will come.

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com


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