Scripture:
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Reflection:
Let me take you back to a story found in Genesis 32. The story is where Jacob wrestles with an angel of God and will not let go until the angel blesses him. The story plays out on the night before Jacob was to face his brother Esau. Esau had come with 400 men and Jacob feared for his life. Jacob’s deception in stealing their fathers blessing was about to catch up to him. Tomorrow was going to be a day of reckoning. Jacob knew in his heart that there was a very real possibly that if Esau carried ill will toward him, tomorrow quite possibly would be his last day on earth. But before the events of tomorrow were to unfold, he first would need to endure a night of wrestling.
While we may not face this kind of dramatic scenario, many of us face fears that keep us up at night wrestling over what may come tomorrow. All too often a night of wrestling only produces a sleepless night with little faith in the morning. We wrestle with ourselves, our thoughts, and our fears continue to mount all the while never engaging the only one who we should be wrestling with.
Wrestling with God is a good thing! We begin to wrestle when we stop rehearsing the fears in our minds and we begin to address God about our fears. Authentic wrestling happens when words frame our fears and are spoken out loud in prayer. Wrestling happens when we address the issue head on. Wrestling happens as we continue until something happens in us, even if it hurts, even if it causes us to limp. Wrestling develops a deeper sense of trust and intimacy as we struggle face-to-face with God about our fears.
In Jacobs story, after wrestling came the embrace. Genesis 32:24 – Jacob wrestled with God – Genesis 33:4 – Jacob embraced his brother.
One of my favorite authors says that to wrestle with God means that we embrace the uncertainty of what it will produce. It is called faith. The only thing we know for certain is that wrestling with God will produce a blessing. We may not know what the blessing will be or what tomorrow may bring, but embracing the uncertainty is, in itself, an act of faith.
To embrace spiritual uncertainty creates in us a wonder and an awe of a loving God. To embrace occupational uncertainty creates a destiny. To embrace relational uncertainty opens the door for romance. To embrace intellectual uncertainty opens the door of revelation and to embrace emotional uncertainty will surprise us with joy of God’s amazing grace.
Don’t wrestle on your own. Wrestle with God and embrace Him long enough for the blessing.
David
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