Day 7 - Wrestling Match

By Joel Lowery, Lead Pastor

“So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.” - Genesis 32:24


As we wrap up week one of the CVC fast, how are you feeling? Have you been able to spend quality time alone with God?  When fasting, it is easy to get caught up in the details like, what is ok to eat - or deciding if it's worth the headache or the pain in my stomach.  In fact, I would say that giving what is important to us, over to God, is usually painful. I think God designed it that way, even if it is only for 21 days. 

When it comes to personal breakthrough, have you ever felt like you're in a wrestling match with God?  It’s like you know where you need to be…at least you think you do...and usually, the frustration sets in because you feel that either God is not doing it fast enough or that He just isn’t hearing you.

And this is where we usually get in to trouble…just like Jacob in the BIble.  His story is found in the book of Genesis.  Jacob was born in an unfair situation.  He was the 2nd son, which means he had no birthright. His older brother Esau, the 1st born,  was a man’s man…a hunter and supplier for the family.  Scripture tells us that Jacob preferred to stay at home & make soup. Not much in bible days would get a man made fun of faster than a man that wouldn’t get out of the kitchen to go get the food.

Jacob wanted a blessing but it was apparent that he wasn’t going to get it from his family. So what he did next is what so many of us do in our own "unfair" situations. He took matters into his own hands.  And just like us, that got Jacob in trouble.  Jacob made a mess because he thought he knew best. By trying to do it on his own, he actually made things worse.

But we read in Genesis 32 where his breakthrough comes. It comes when he is alone with God. Once Jacob was alone with God, he wrestled with Him. And you know what? The blessing that Jacob was willing to lie, manipulate and steal for...was available to him all along!  It was in his alone time with God - yes, even his wrestling - where he received his blessing.  


Questions for reflection:

1. How often do you get alone with God? Is it a priority?
2. How do you need to reschedule your day to make time with God a priority?
3. What breakthrough have you been trying to achieve on your own strength that needs to be given over to God?

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