Worship: Sundays at 8:15 am | 9:40 am | 11:00 am, Wednesdays at 6:35 pm
Struggle with God
He said to Jacob, "What's your name?" and he said, "Jacob." Then he said, "Your name won't be Jacob any longer, but Israel, because you struggled with God and with men and won." Jacob also asked and said, "Tell me your name." But he said, "Why do you ask for my name?" and he blessed Jacob there. Jacob named the place Peniel, "because I've seen God face-to-face, and my life has been saved." (Genesis 32:27-30, CEB)
It's been said that "name changes imply a change of character, life circumstances, or status." Such name changes are found throughout the Bible. The past couple days we have read passages about Abram/Abraham. In the days ahead we'll get to Simon/Peter and Saul/Paul. However, Jacob is the only one to have physically wrestled with God to earn his name change. The name Israel literally means "struggle with God"!
I might not have physically wrestled with God by the Jabbok River in the dark of night, but I have struggled mightily during "dark nights of the soul." Those experiences, while testing my faith, helped to change my character- even if they didn't change my name. I might not ever have seen God face-to-face, but there have been times when I have felt "my life has been saved." Thanks be to God for His blessings.
When have you "struggled with God"? How does this story speak to you about those struggles?
Grace and peace,
Aaron
Trinity United Methodist Church
4000 NW 53rd Avenue
Gainesville, Florida 32653 United States
352.376.6615
TrinityGNV.org
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm | Friday, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm
STAY CONNECTED
Trinity United Methodist Church
352.376.6615
TrinityGNV.org
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm | Friday, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm
STAY CONNECTED
Trinity United Methodist Church
4000 NW 53rd Avenue
Gainesville, Florida 32653 United States
___________________________________
___________________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment