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.
Night Prayer
Let me not be ashamed, O Lord; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.
Inspiration
We humble ourselves before the Lord when we come to Him with earthly burdens. We understand we do not have the power to control or fix our problems alone, so we lay our egos down and align our lives with the will of God. We are proud to be His servants and accept His help throughout our struggles. His love is unconditional, and His wisdom parallels none other.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we humble ourselves before You, seeking Your wisdom and guidance all the days of our lives. Thank You for Your presence and unfailing love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion
You are a Temple of The Holy Spirit
Frances Taylor
This is a hard saying in today's world. Sexual immorality is so rampant and public that few people believe it to be immoral! People no longer think of sexual behavior outside of marriage as wrong and, in fact, have no problem with going from one person to another quite publicly, broadcasting their behavior on social media and if you're famous enough, on twitter, on TV, in magazines, etc. What happened to "Thou shalt not commit adultery?" I guess I'm old fashioned. I'm not about to condemn anyone who truly loves another and is faithful to them regardless of marriage, but I don't understand and cannot condone random sexual encounters that are not based on love but lust, have no desire for permanency but are literally just to satisfy a sexual itch.
Sorry if I offend anyone, but if we believe that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit to be kept holy, how can we treat them as what – toys, prizes? I'm aware that women have often ...
Morning Prayer
For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
Inspiration
Think of a grudge that you held on for a long time. Did you feel better from holding this grudge? Now think about this deeper: what if God held a grudge against us? Wow, how blessed we are that he forgives our sins! He leads by example, forgiving those of us that do exactly what he asks us not to do. We all should all be more forgiving, like God is to us.
Prayer
You sent your only son to the world to die so that we may be forgiven, merciful God. Forgive me, once again, for being too selfish and proud to not forgive those that trespass against me. I wish that I can sin less and ask for forgiveness and guidance when I need it. I thank you for sending your son to us, Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.
