Genesis 32:22-32
Jacob Wrestles Whom?

God invites us to wrestle with Him in trying times – times of fear (like Jacob), disappointment, loss, or suffering. He condescends to lead us, even kicking and screaming, through these challenges. The question is, are we willing? Ask the Lord to strengthen you to be honest before Him and wrestle through the issue with Him, not run from Him or paste on a I’m-a-good-Christian smile and pretend everything’s fine. (If you are interested in deeply meditating on a case study of a person wrestling with God, study the book of Job!)

God commanded Jacob to return to his homeland after many years in Paddan-aram, and so Jacob gathered his family and possessions and left. It was then that God met him and wrestled with him. Perhaps the first step in being willing to wrestle with God is being willing to obey Him. Lord, open my ears to the command You have for me and strengthen me to take a step of obedience.

Ask the Lord to make our church, and especially our small groups, a place where people feel safe to ask honest questions and share struggles.

Here is a bold prayer: Lord, I won’t let You go until You bless me, and the blessing I seek is more of You. It is risky because He may change your name, figuratively speaking – what you’re known for. It is dangerous because He may give you a limp, like Jacob, or a thorn in the flesh, like Paul, as a constant reminder that He must increase and you must decrease. A risky and dangerous prayer, but a noble and worthy one!

Calvary Family

Pray today as our staff meets with the architect and contractor to go over the budget for our building project. Given the detailed planning done to date and the involvement of the architect and contractor with the city of Brea, the numbers should be realistic and fairly firm. Ask the Lord for favor as we pursue building a new worship center with no mortgage.

Our senior high students depart on Friday for Winter Camp at Forest Home. Pray that each one will engage with God, wrestling with Him, during this time. Pray for the leaders as they come alongside the students to guide and encourage and challenge. Pray that students can practice laying down self during this long weekend, focusing on the worth and the needs of others instead of themselves.

The LORD covers the sky with clouds; He supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. (Psalm 147:8) During our long drought, everyone longed for rain, but not everyone knew whom to ask or whom to thank when it came. We, the ones who know, should be loud and lavish in our thanks to God for the above-average rainfall this winter.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert
Calvary Community Church of Brea