June 5th
Do You Have a Wrestling Hold?
So I am surfing through the TV the other evening. I hit upon a channel airing wresting. I paused awhile - those guys were really at it. The crowd was too. They were really enthusiastic. I moved on clicking down, down, and there it was again. Another channel, another wrestling. At one point the guys were really clinging to one another.
I would like to use those 2 events to throw you down on the mat - and hold you a count of 3 to these words from God. And, my friend, there is nothing fake or theatrical to it.
The first wrestling match in the Bible is recorded in Genesis 32:22-30, "So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak."
I think God was wrestling with Jacob, more than Jacob with God. How so? It was like God having a "hold" on Jacob that was so strong and tight that He was forcing the old Jacob out. It was like He was urging Jacob to cry "uncle". God did prevail and Jacob fell into the arms of God. He clung in his wrestling until the blessing came.
Let me shift a moment to David and his wrestling. He said, (Psa. 13:2)"How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemies triumph over me?"
There are crisis in all our lives. At these points one has to quite wrestling with their own resources (do you understand what I mean?...our ability, the strength in me, etc.). Complete surrender - fall helplessly at His feet. We must surrender something. We must cease from our own ability and wisdom and righteousness and then rise, like Jacob, into God's strength.
In your difficult surroundings, or difficult situation - in your hard place, the only way out is UP.
My prayer for you, my friend
Lord I ask that this one wrestle with you in the sense of being determine to receive from you. May they quite wrestling with their thoughts of turmoil over and over again. May they, in the name of Jesus, speak defeat to the enemy who tries to put them in a head-lock. May this one stay with you - and in that steadfastness receive a wonderful blessing...right now.
Amen