Wrestle Mania with God

The man said, “From now on, your name will no longer be Jacob. You will be called Israel, because you have wrestled with God and with men, and you have won.”

Genesis 32:28 (CEV)

Maybe your parents have strong faith in God. Your siblings never seem to be afraid. Your friends don’t doubt God. But you . . . wrestle. Is God really there? Does he really care about you? Can he really help in tough times?

We all must wrestle with our beliefs. We have doubts or fears to think through. We have to decide what we believe in our own hearts. The good news is, God understands and helps us through.

Jacob had his own struggle. The Lord told him to move back to his homeland. He started to obey, but he became afraid because his vengeful brother Esau was coming to meet him with an army of 400 men. Years before, the brothers had not parted on good terms, and Jacob thought Esau probably wanted to kill him. Jacob sent several gifts on ahead with his servants to try to make peace with Esau. Then he took his family to safety and left them there, choosing to wait through the night alone.

A man came and wrestled with Jacob until just before daylight. Jacob believed it was God appearing like a man. Jacob held on to the man until he blessed him. Jacob’s name was changed to “Israel,” which means “a man who wrestles with God.” The next day, Jacob met Esau, and everything worked out between them. God had protected him, as promised.

Jacob became the father of a nation of people. He worked through his doubts and fears about God, and he came out blessed. We can, too.

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

Think of someone you know who believes and trusts God. Ask them if they’ve ever doubted or been afraid that God wouldn’t help them, and how they got through their doubt. How can their experience help you trust God? Journal through their response.

PRAY

God, please help me wrestle through my doubts and come out believing and trusting you.

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help you expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Please read...

Job 42:1–3

Job 42:5

Matthew 7:7–8

Romans 8:38–39