Wrestling with God

One Year Bible for Friday, January 16, 2015

Genesis 32:13-34:31;  Matthew 11:7-30;  Psalm 14:1-7;  Proverbs 3:19-20

Prayer is a wrestling match.  It is not a formula.  It is not simply a pious discipline.  It is a wrestling match.

Prayer is as challenging as anything you will undertake.  You are dealing with the God of the universe and seeking to “bend Him to your requests.”

He is all-powerful, yet He deigns to interact with YOU!  He is sovereign yet He wants to know what you think — what you want — what you seek.

I AM JACOB

Jacob is one of the most enigmatic characters of Scripture.  He is one of the patriarchs, yet he is something of a scoundrel.  He is a man of faith, yet constantly in and out of trouble.

Jacob is a picture of you and me in the process of SANCTIFICATION.  That’s a big word meaning “changed into a good, godly man.”

Genesis chapters 25-32 are the story of God chasing down Jacob.  He was a deceiver, a supplanter, a conniver, and yet God had a plan for him.  God would not let him alone.

CORNERED BY GOD

Finally, Jacob was cornered.  He couldn’t run any more.  His father-in-law, Laban, was on one side and his brother, Esau, was on the other.  And Jacob was ALONE (Gen. 32:24).  That’s when God met him.Jacob wrestling with an angel

An “Angel” wrestled with Jacob all night.  It was a life-changing experience.  Make no mistake, the “Angel” could have won this battle at any time.  But, God DESIRES TO TAKE YOU TO THE LIMIT.  God is in no way interested in your weak-wristed, fatalistic “surrender”.  He wants you to contend with Him in prayer!

That’s where the life-change takes place.  Jacob “wrestled with him until the breaking of day.”  Jacob made one final request of the “Angel”.  “I will not let You go until you bless me.”  (Gen. 32:26)

That’s the kind of prayer God answers.  In a fast-food, instant gratification world, God is looking for people who not only believe Him, but who “diligently seek Him.” (Heb. 11:6)

NAME CHANGE

Jacob’s name was changed.  He had been a scoundrel, but God now called him a PRINCE — an overcomer.

God wants to change your name, too.  The world has delivered you a bill of goods that is at best a mixed bag.  But God has a treasure chest.  It is your new name.  It is your destiny in Christ.  He will meet you alone and perhaps throw your hip out of joint.  But He will give you a new name that is the greatest treasure you will ever have.

That’s the plan of God.

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