Day 10: Wrestling with God
Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”
But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
The man asked him, “What is your name?”
“Jacob,” he answered.
Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”
Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.”
But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.
So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”
The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip. Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob’s hip was touched near the tendon.
Genesis 32:24-32
Typically in the Presence of the Lord we experience His love, joy, peace, freedom, and more. He's such a good Father and is lavish with His love. However, in this passage, Jacob experiences something quite different then what you typically expect from a meeting with God. This is not a serene, quiet time. No, in this encounter with the Lord, God initiates a "fight" with Jacob that lasts till dawn! In the end, God not only allows Jacob to live but He also allows Jacob to fight back. The outcome is great and sets Jacob up for a life of prophetic destiny and new meaning.
In these days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the last thing you may want to do is "wrestle" with God. Instead, you may want to enjoy His peace and rest. However, sometimes when the Lord comes to us, He allows us to experience pain, loss, and anger with Him. Sometimes He allows these unpleasantries to come to light because He wants to give you His TRUE peace.
Beloved, I bless you to be honest before the Lord. Be honest without overthinking or over-rationalizing your pain, loss, anger and or disappointment. Let it OUT because He is your safe place! It's "ok" to wrestle with God in times of hardship. Like Jacob, do so until you leave with HIS blessing.
Prayer and or Action Steps:
1. Find a quiet place for journaling and reflection with the Lord. Invite Him to direct you to the places that need His touch and attention. Again, be honest and tell the Lord what's going on, even if it's a hard thing to acknowledge. Take the time you need. This may be an on going journey.
2. After your time of journaling, thank Him for what He showed you and ask Him to bless you however He wants.
3. If needed, find a trusted friend who is willing to listen and to pray for you in your process.
But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
The man asked him, “What is your name?”
“Jacob,” he answered.
Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”
Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.”
But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.
So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”
The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip. Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob’s hip was touched near the tendon.
Genesis 32:24-32
Typically in the Presence of the Lord we experience His love, joy, peace, freedom, and more. He's such a good Father and is lavish with His love. However, in this passage, Jacob experiences something quite different then what you typically expect from a meeting with God. This is not a serene, quiet time. No, in this encounter with the Lord, God initiates a "fight" with Jacob that lasts till dawn! In the end, God not only allows Jacob to live but He also allows Jacob to fight back. The outcome is great and sets Jacob up for a life of prophetic destiny and new meaning.
In these days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the last thing you may want to do is "wrestle" with God. Instead, you may want to enjoy His peace and rest. However, sometimes when the Lord comes to us, He allows us to experience pain, loss, and anger with Him. Sometimes He allows these unpleasantries to come to light because He wants to give you His TRUE peace.
Beloved, I bless you to be honest before the Lord. Be honest without overthinking or over-rationalizing your pain, loss, anger and or disappointment. Let it OUT because He is your safe place! It's "ok" to wrestle with God in times of hardship. Like Jacob, do so until you leave with HIS blessing.
Prayer and or Action Steps:
1. Find a quiet place for journaling and reflection with the Lord. Invite Him to direct you to the places that need His touch and attention. Again, be honest and tell the Lord what's going on, even if it's a hard thing to acknowledge. Take the time you need. This may be an on going journey.
2. After your time of journaling, thank Him for what He showed you and ask Him to bless you however He wants.
3. If needed, find a trusted friend who is willing to listen and to pray for you in your process.
Posted in The Presence of God Prayer Series
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