The artwork (left) created by Olivia Hopkins (Sharpie on paper) at Journey tonight illustrates a painful moment in her life. We discussed the role of prayer in moments when we are hurt, frustrated, confused (see Aaron Huggins' sketch below) or angry. It is in these moments when we sometimes struggle with God--maybe not physically like Jacob, but struggle nonetheless.
Confusion by Aaron Huggins
Tonight's Journey Scripture
Genesis 32: 22-30
Genesis 32: 22-30
Jacob wrestles with God
22 The same night [Jacob] got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok.
23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had.
24 Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.
25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him.
26 Then he said, ‘Let me go, for the day is breaking.’ But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go, unless you bless me.’
27 So he said to him, ‘What is your name?’ And he said, ‘Jacob.’
28 Then the man said, ‘You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.’
29 Then Jacob asked him, ‘Please tell me your name.’ But he said, ‘Why is it that you ask my name?’ And there he blessed him.
30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, ‘For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.’
= = = = =
22 The same night [Jacob] got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok.
23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had.
24 Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.
25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him.
26 Then he said, ‘Let me go, for the day is breaking.’ But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go, unless you bless me.’
27 So he said to him, ‘What is your name?’ And he said, ‘Jacob.’
28 Then the man said, ‘You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.’
29 Then Jacob asked him, ‘Please tell me your name.’ But he said, ‘Why is it that you ask my name?’ And there he blessed him.
30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, ‘For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.’
= = = = =
It is tempting to give up when faced with what seems like the overwhelming task of living as God wants us to live. Remember Chase's struggle with guilt and forgiveness? Ellen's anger toward God over the loss of her neighbors? In moments like these, it is important to persevere in faith, confident that the God who calls you to faithfulness is the same God who wants you to succeed, the same God who empowers you.
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