NIV Once-A-Day Bible Worship and Praise DevotionalEsimerkki

WRESTLING Scripture paints an unusual portrait for us in the story of Jacob’s sweaty struggle with God on the banks of the Jabbok, a struggle culminating in Jacob’s receiving the name his people carry to this day. Jacob always had been determined to do things his own way — ​whether it was wresting control of his brother’s birthright or amassing wealth from Laban’s flocks. After years of learning the hard way that his way wasn’t God’s way, he finally did something right. He seized an opportunity to grab onto God and hold on with all his might. Worship is composed of familiar elements such as praise, adoration, confession and intercession. Sometimes we forget, however, that worshiping God also involves persistence — ​pursuing hard after the One who is impossible to see, but who is never at a distance from us. Worship doesn’t always feel good; at times it resembles Jacob’s struggle more than Sunday morning singing. Scripture reminds us that problems and trials are good for us because they help us learn to endure, and endurance produces the strength of character God longs to see in us (see Romans 5:3 – 4). Are you struggling with God right now and feeling frustrated? Take a lesson from Jacob and hold fast to the One who has promised to never let you go. Lord, I’m really struggling with . . .