Wrestling with God

Wrestling with God

Bible:Genesis 32

If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you

can do nothing (JOHN 15:5).

Reading

When the staff of George Müller’s orphanage told him it was impossible to raise enough money to keep it going, George praised God. He said their helplessness would make them rely more fully on God. They did, and He provided the money they needed. Completely relying on God is the only way for us to live if we want to be confident in His love, provision and promises. But it seems like this is a hard lesson for all of us to learn. Jacob didn’t learn it easily. For many years he had lived by his own plans and lies. When he heard that his brother Esau, (who he had tricked years before), was coming with 400 men, Jacob made a plan. He tried to make sure that if he was attacked, half of his family would survive (GENESIS 32:7). That night, a “man” (God in human form) wrestled with Jacob (V.24). Just before dawn, the Man touched Jacob’s hip and put it out of joint. All Jacob could do was cling to the Man, demanding a blessing (GENESIS 32:26; HOSEA 12:4). This was a turning point in Jacob’s life. He limped for the rest of his life; but that was the day he became a man who trusted God, not himself. God weakened his body but made him strong on the inside, because now he relied on God.

GOD IS ALWAYS AT WORK, TEACHING US TO
RELY ON HIM FOR EVERYTHING.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries