plans and the purpose that prevails

Dearest 2nd Mom,

Make sure you read this  at a time when you can sit and reflect and not be interrupted.  If we were together I'd be sharing this with you over a cup of coffee in a quiet spot, maybe your deck, or maybe by our pool, or maybe in a cozy coffee shop.  Just picture us together as you read.  Grab your Bible too and read the verses.

I was listening to a sermon from our old church in Greenville and I wanted to share it with you.  You can go to the website and listen if you like. ( www.southsidefellowship.org )

Our former pastor, Charlie Boyd, has been preaching on the life of Jacob.  This particular message was about Jacob wrestling with God (Genesis 32:22-32).  Here are my sermon notes for you to ponder.  The hymn at the bottom of my message is one that Charlie quoted in him sermon. 

Background:  God told Rebekah that Jacob would inherit the blessing.  Jacob took matters into his own hands to get the blessing. 

Jacob has to move from depending on his own cleverness and learn to depend on God.

Jacob is alone now because he wants to reflect and pray and his emotions haven't caught up with his earlier prayer (Genesis 32:9-11).

The most important life issues I will have to face, I will face alone. (isn't that where you are now my dear?  You are at a point in your life where you are alone)

I can't live off others faith.

God clobbered Jacob...this is the God who answered his earlier prayer for deliverance.

God has to wrestle us into a transformed life rather than comfort us into it.

Genesis 32:25...when God touched Jacob's hip it was only a light tap.  In verse 26 Jacob is hanging on to God.  He realizes he is at the end of his rope.

God wants to wake me up to who I am (helpless) and to who He is

You never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.

In verse 26, which is central to the passage, Jacob realizes he can't get what God has to give through his own efforts, it is a gift of grace.

God fights with us to wean us away from self reliance to total dependence on God.

God is in every difficulty and behind every difficulty in my life.

We have to receive the gift in weakness and God gives the gift in weakness (God allowed Jacob to wrestle with him, as Jesus humbled himself to become a man and die on the cross. 

Blows of Grace wake us up.  Jesus can bless someone who deserves the curse because he cursed someone (Jesus) who deserved the blessing.

God makes Himself weak to win me back to Himself.

I thought of you as I listened to this sermon because I think you are probably feeling weaker than you ever have in your whole life.  I wanted to encourage you to hang on to God.  Don't try to tough it out.  It's okay to be weak.  God is in this difficulty , He wants to bless you with His incredible Grace.  Hang on and know that His hand rests on your head to give you His blessing.

Here's the hymn Charlie quoted:

 I asked the Lord that I might grow,
In faith and love and every grace,
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly His face.

It was He who taught me thus to pray,
And He I trust has answered prayer.
But it has been in such a way,
As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour,
At once He'd answer my request.
And by His love's constraining power,
Subdue my sins and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel,
The hidden evils of my heart.
And let the angry powers of hell,
Assault my soul in every part.

Yes, more with His own hand, He seemed,
Intent to aggravate my woe.
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

"Lord, why is this?" I trembling cried.
Will You pursue Your worm to death?"
"This is the way" the Lord replied,
"I answer prayer for grace and strength."

"These inward trials I employ,
From self, and pride, to set you free;
And break your schemes of earthly joy,
That you may find thy all in Me."
—John Newton