Desperate, distressed, and distraught, Jacob worked out a plan to appease his brothers anger. He sent out servants to take hundreds of male and female goats and camels to appease Esau's anger. Though God promised Jacob He would prosper him, upon returning to his home country, Jacob feared Esau.
Anxious, worried, and in a panic Jacob pressed in to God. Left alone in the middle of the night, scripture says Jacob wrestled with a man until day-break. Jacob desperate for a blessing, held on, fighting, grappling, tusselling; determined to not let go until the man blessed him.
Finally, realizing Jacob's determination, the man blessed him saying, "Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed."
Friends, what are you wrestling with? Have you determined to press in and press on? Will the cry of your desperation turn to determination?
Jacob turned his desperation to determination,
and God blessed him.
The same is true for us: when we determine to not let go, not give up, and we press in and hold fast to God, God hears us. Scripture says if we ask anything in accordance with His will, it will be done.
Mark 11:22-24 says, "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (NIV)
I'm NOT talking about naming and claming it...
I'm talking about holding fast to the truth...knowing what God has said...clinging and wrestling...determining to not let go of what HE HAS PROMISED. God told Jacob to return to his home country and that He would prosper him, that was God's promise to Jacob...
What has God promised you?
What does Scripture declare?
What does Scripture declare?
Whatever it is...DON'T let go. DON'T give up.
Be desperate for God. Be determined to NOT let go!
You're blessing is coming. God fulfills ALL of HIS promises!
PRAYER: Father, we are desperate for a touch from you. Fulfill Your promises. We give You our life. We surrender to YOUR will. Deliver us from our enemies. Empower us for Your service. Let Your Kingdom Come...Let Your will be done...on earth...in our lives...in our jobs...in our finances...in our marriages...in our families...in our health...as it is in Heaven! In Jesus name we pray, amen!
Julie, I really need to cling to this. I seem to be such a doubter. God did you really speak this to me or is it just me? I continually question myself rather than simply trusting God and being determined to NOT give up. Bless you!
ReplyDeleteAMEN Julie
ReplyDeleteWhat a Great Post!
Nothing is impossible for God!
HOLD On.
"Jacob turned his desperation to determination,
ReplyDeleteand God blessed him." We are told that success and/or results either come from inspiration or desperation. I believe the latter is more powerful for most of us. This is a great message Julie.
I feel like I have been wrestling for quite some time.
Becki, Oh my dear sister...how we all wrestle with discerning our voice from God's...the very purpose for the book I'm writing. Can't wait until it's in print...Love you and am praying for you! God is going to take every part of your testimony and use it for His glory!
ReplyDeleteJulie...thank you...and amen! Nothing is impossible with God! I'm holding on my friend and can't wait to see God's promises fulfilled! YEAH!!!
Shawn...Never doubt that the struggles you press through will indeed bring about amazing miracles. Your testimony touches so many. Your light shines so brightly. Don't give up. Don't cower. God will fullfill His promises. I feel like you, as though I've been wrestling for some time...BUT WE WILL PREVAIL...WE WILL TRIUMPH! IF GOD IS FOR US...WHO CAN STAND AGAINST US?
Julie,
ReplyDeleteThis is so powerful! Thank you for this incredible encouragement today. I am always blessed by your words.
Genny, thanks for taking the time to encourage me too! :) I'm so glad God's message to me is blessing you too! He is so good. He is so faithful.
ReplyDeleteThis post was right on time for me. I am deep in a struggle with fear. God has purposed my life for greatness and the devil knows it. So he has put fear on me in such a way that it is paralyzing me. I am seeking God's Holy Spirit to come and release me from this bondage.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how we can know this intellectually but still be caught up in it emotionally and spiritually. Please pray for me.
Dear Anonymous, I am praying for you. May the grace of God take the knowledge and fit it securely in your emotions and spirit! Keep standing. Keep reminding yourself of the truth! :)
ReplyDelete