God’s strong hands

God’s strong hands

Bible: Genesis 32:22-30

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So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak (V.24).

In Genesis, it seems that almost every person has big family issues. Jealousy, anger, fighting and lying all leave a trail of broken relationships. Even Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—held up as heroes of faith in Hebrews 11—have problems and make serious mistakes. But God doesn’t leave them that way. Jacob tricked his older twin Esau, who then wanted to kill him (GENESIS 27:41). Before the brothers would face each other after twenty years, Jacob wrestled with God. When asked his name, the younger brother finally admitted who he was: “Jacob”—the trickster (32:24-27). That was an important turning point for him. When he admitted who he was to God, God gave him a new name: “Israel”. He had a new identity; a new purpose. Because God doesn’t give up on us, we should not give up on ourselves. The last person on earth we will forgive for messing stuff up is often ourselves. But, as one Christian speaker said, “Only in the gospel can people go on loving themselves. Wait on God! See what His strong hands will make out of your weaknesses.” When we have turned back to Him, God can turn us around. When we have messed up, God can rebuild. “Jesus in the strong hands of God using my weaknesses for His purposes. This is the gospel.”

WE ARE STRONG WHEN WE’RE IN GOD’S HANDS.

                                      Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries