Wrestling Match
Do not be surprised if you daily experience struggles. Everyone wrestles in their hearts with how to live a kingdom life centered in Christ.
“Jacob sent messengers in front of him to Esau, his brother...He is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.” Then Jacob was greatly afraid and was distressed...Jacob said...Yahweh, who said to me, ‘Return to your country, and to your relatives, and I will do you good,’ I am not worthy of the least of all the loving kindnesses, and of all the truth, which you have shown to your servant...Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and strike me and the mothers with the children. You said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which can’t be counted because there are so many...Jacob was left alone, and wrestled with a man there until the breaking of the day. The man said, “Let me go, for the day breaks.” Jacob said, “I won’t let you go unless you bless me.” He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob”. He said, “Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have fought with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
Genesis 32:3, 6-7, 9-12, 20, 24, 26-28
Jacob must have been excited to get away from Laban and go back home until he remembered that the reason he left was the problems he created with his brother. He was a man with no home, yet God called him to go. What does Jacob do in the midst of his wrestling? He relies on God's word. He says you have said Lord. You have said.
How would it change things for us if we did the same thing? What would happen if when we were in a tough place if we stopped and called out God's promises over our lives. What if we chose to not let go of the word that can never be broken? What Word from the Lord do you need to pray over your life today?
“Blessed is he whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is covered. I acknowledged my sin to you. I didn’t hide my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to Yahweh, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin...Many sorrows come to the wicked, but loving kindness shall surround him who trusts in Yahweh.
Psalms 32:1, 5, 7, 10-11
Fear wants to get us to run away from God and hide our sin. God calls us to be honest and know that what we find on the other side of confession is God's loving kindness through his grace and mercy.
Another benefit to confession is gratitude. As we take the time to think about how God has forgiven our sin, our hearts naturally fill with gratitude. Have you given thanks to Jesus for all He has done for you?
“That which has been is that which shall be, and that which has been done is that which shall be done; and there is no new thing under the sun."
Ecclesiastes 1:9, 17-18
One truth that will exist until the second coming of Jesus is that we all fall short. We sin. Sometimes unintentionally and sometimes intentionally. This is not new, but how often does sin want us to hide like we are the first ones to do it and the worst ones for having done it.
“The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in a peaceful habitation, in safe dwellings, and in quiet resting places,”
Isaiah 32:7-8, 17-18
Jesus came to help us experience a better way of living. He wants to give us the gift of peace that comes with righteousness. He knows perfection is not possible, but a personal relationship with the Prince of Peace is. Do you desire less wrestling and more peace in your life? Draw close to Jesus.
“As he sowed, some seed fell by the road, and the birds came and devoured it. Others fell on the rocky ground, where it had little soil, and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of soil. When the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. Others fell into the good ground and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing. Some produced thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times as much...The ones by the road are the ones where the word is sown; and when they have heard, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them. These in the same way are those who are sown on the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy. They have no root in themselves, but are short-lived. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they stumble. Others are those who are sown among the thorns. These are those who have heard the word, and the cares of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Those which were sown on the good ground are those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit, some thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times."
Mark 4:4-8, 15-20, 24
Jesus invites those who will listen to examine their hearts. What is the soil of my heart? Which type of soil do I identify with when hearing this? Jesus identifies the barriers that we all can find ourselves wrestling with that keep us from producing spiritual fruit in our lives. He calls out those who allow the enemy of our lives, the liar and deceiver to steal the word of God. Where have I listened to and believed his lies? He calls out the people who allow fear, worry, and anxiety to rob them. He calls out the people whose hearts desires the things of the world more than the kingdom coming.
The order in which Jesus warns us is no accident and we have to be aware of how the enemy, fear, and our own selfish desires cause us to let go of our creator and His word. Jesus wants us to be like Jacob and never let go. He wants us to hold on until we receive our blessing which is the free heart and abundant fruit that He will produce in and through anyone willing to surrender their heart to Him. Are you willing to hold on to your faith, wrestle through the night, and allow God to produce a banquet of fruit in your life that will feed the world around you?