Devotion
Wrestling with God
David Jacobs
Sometimes the flood of life can be overwhelming. Have you heard the phrase, "When it rains it pours"? There have been moments in my life where that certainly felt true. One stressful situation leads to another and it has seemed like I cannot get a good break my way. The problems just stack one on top of the other until I can hardly bear the weight. Once the problems have passed, I can hardly remember them and it seems that going through these trials have made me a stronger person as a result.
Jacob may have been feeling the same way in these verses. Although many good blessings have come his way, his twin brother, Esau, has come to his camp with 400 men. They left each other on unpleasant terms, with Jacob posing as Esau in order to win the blessing of their father, Isaac. This action left Esau with no birthright and without the blessing of his father, and he swore to kill Jacob.
It brings us to this scene, with Jacob worried about meeting Esau, praying to God saying, "Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children." (Gen. 32:11) He prepares a gift for Esau, hoping that the gift will soften the wound that Jacob inflicted on their relationship. He is eventually left alone, and we can assume he is wracked with stress and unable to sleep, when an unnamed man comes into his camp and wrestles with him. They wrestled until the next day, neither of them victorious, and Jacob will not quit even though he has been hurt. The other man wants to stop since the day has broke, and Jacob will only quit if the man gives him a blessing. The man does, and it is then that Jacob realizes he was wrestling with God.
When times are tough, we can all feel that we are wrestling with God. Jacob, fearing for his life, problems stacking up, refuses to quit. Against all odds, tired, injured, he keeps persevering. It may seem like it pours when it rains, but when we make it out of the storm, the world will seem that much brighter.
Prayer
Powerful and loving God, I thank you for aiding me with my struggles. Help me to view life's challenges as chances to prove my worth to you. Strengthen my will, O Lord, so that my resolve is improved with each trial and tribulation that I get through. I will not quit, as Jacob did not quit, as I wrestle demons on my march towards your Holy Kingdom. In your Holy name, I pray, Amen.
Devotion
Give Good Example
Frances Taylor
If we ever needed a reminder of how important it is to practice what we preach, this is it. Not only are we encouraged to help others, but we are also warned about giving bad example or leading others, particularly children, away from the Lord.
I have spoken to many people who say that they became a Christian because of the example of people in their family, friends or strangers whose joy is so great they want a part of it. I also know people who have turned away from the faith they once had because they consider those who proclaim themselves to be Christian are hypocrites. Most people don't start out wanting to be Christians because of doctrine. They are influenced one way or another by people. Are you someone whose life exhibits the joy of knowing Jesus and his saving power? Am I? Do your actions give testimony to your beliefs? A person can go to church each week, Bible classes during the week and give every impression of being a devout follower of ...
Morning Prayer
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Inspiration
There is nothing at all – nothing on the earth and nothing in the spiritual realms – that can separate us from the love of Christ. No matter what any person or principality tries to do in our lives, they will never be able to quash the love Christ has for us. The love God has for us is eternal – it is here to stay for good.
Prayer
Dear God, I thank you for the love that you have for me. Thank you, Lord, that this love will never leave me and it will never forsake me. No matter what anyone tries, or whatever may come my way, Lord, I thank you that your love will always be with me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
Inspiration
As Christians, we know that we find peace in God. And today, we’re reminded that He promises peace to His people. But we have to do our part, which is listening. It’s when we turn away from wisdom and pursue foolish and selfish endeavors that peace eludes us. But when we turn our ears to His wisdom, He leads us on the path to peace.
Prayer
God, in You I have received peace that passes understanding. Speak Your wisdom to me, and teach me to not be distracted by my own foolish ambitions. Give me ears to hear You so that I may remain close to You and move in Your peace wherever I go. In Jesus’ name, amen.
