Rev. Ray and Pat Amos
STRIVING AND PREVAILING WITH GOD
“Genesis 32:22-32”
The rising of the sun was bringing a day of judgment upon Jacob. His life had been like a tossed salad of success and failure with God. Now, the day had come to face the harvest of his decisions, to reap what he had sowed (It always does). The one that he had wronged the most was approaching with a great army behind him. There would be no sleep tonight, and no rest, just a fast beating heart, and a long, long wrestling match with God.
When we can’t take it anymore, can’t face another day, and are tired, weary, and broken; take heart because we are now where we need to be for the Lord to bless us. He has been waiting for this moment. Take hold of God with both hands (That means you must let go of everything else). Hold on with a humble but determined heart. Pray like Jacob, “I will not let go of you until you bless me!”
We are like a camel: the burden cannot be lifted from our back until we get on our knees.
“And God blessed Jacob.” In fact, God changed Jacob’s name to Israel (One who strives with God and, I might add, one who prevails with God). When our children were small, I wrestled with them. They always won, not because they were stronger, but because I loved them (we call that grace). How much more God loves us all and is willing that we wrestle with Him and come out a winner.
Charles Wesley wrote a hymn from this passage, that is probably my favorite hymn of all. “I need not tell Thee who I am, my sin and misery declare…Wrestling, I will not let Thee go, Till I Thy name, Thy nature know… ‘Tis Love! ’tis Love! Thou diedst for me, I hear Thy whisper in my heart; The morning breaks, the shadows flee: Pure, universal Love Thou art; To me, to all Thy mercies move; Thy nature and Thy name is Love.”
Grace and Peace, Rev Ray
Link to Youtube – And Can It Be
