To Be Blessed

Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.—Genesis 32:24 NIV

“Bless me, Lord,” we cry. Then, when we discover that our blessing includes a struggle, we complain. We don’t move into our promised land because of the giants to be faced. We back off, and let go right before His bounty flows. Unlike Jacob, we don’t wrestle until dawn to be blessed.  

A blessing is worth nothing without our willingness to grow spiritually. If blessings and promises were readily bestowed with no need on our part to spiritually grow, then they would have little meaning. There would be no need for hope or encouragement. There would be no need for perseverance and commitment—no need to grow in the virtues that foster love and joy and peace and kindness and patience and goodness and faithfulness and gentleness and self-control.

Jacob wrestled with God until daybreak seeking His blessing. When Jacob asked God to bless him, he asked for all that blessing entailed. He knew that what God had to offer was worth whatever came with that promise. “I will not let go until you bless me,” Jacob declared. And with God’s promise came the pain. God wounded Jacob, just as His Son one day would be wounded.

Do you hang on for your promise by loving Him and serving Him no matter what your battle?  He gave His life for you. Are you not willing to die to self a little for Him? You can’t understand the depth of His joy without understanding what Jesus accomplished for you. Hang on for your blessing! Let perseverance finish its work so that you will be mature and not lacking in what you need to stand strong. Don't give up! Seek to know Him. Seek His purpose. Seek His heart. When you have done His will, you will receive what He has promised. And like Jacob, you also will hear, “You have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome” (Genesis 32:28 NIV).

©2018 Lynn Lacher

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