“This left Jacob at the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn to break. When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!” But Jacob said, “I will not let go unless you bless me.” Genesis 32:24-26

There are things in this life that require Jacob’s kind of persistence. Some people are born with this kind of tenacity. My husband is one of them. I admire that fact that he digs his heals in and will not give up. We need people like him in the family of faith. Brent has always said,” If the boats going down I am getting out with my family. There is no question I am not going down.” Imagine if we all used that to further God’s kingdom here on earth. “Fight the good fight for the true faith.” 1 Timothy 6:12. My daughter has that kind of tenacity. She is young and doesn’t know her gift just yet, but I pray every day that she uses it for Christ and His purpose. My daily prayer is that my children will fight for Jesus and not give up. It comes easier for Grayce, but I know Jackson has it in him too. Even though some of us are naturally born with a “no quit” attitude, we are all called in the body of Christ to fight and not give up on Jesus. Those of us who don’t find persistence easy can pray for it in our faith journey. All things that we ask within the will of God will be given to us. Notice I said,”WITHIN the will of God.” You being a millionaire may not factor in to His will. Fighting for Jesus and his word is in the will of God.

Jacob was a perfect example of this. We all wrestle with God at times in our lives. We cannot give in to our weaknesses and what the world tells us is right and good. Most often it differs from God’s call to our lives. Take these verses about Jacob and let them inspire you to fight for God and His word to reign in our world. Jacob wasn’t giving in until he was blessed. God’s word is goodness, mercy, and grace. If the world hears something else coming from our faith we will need to rethink our approach. We can speak the truth in love. “Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.” Ephesians 4:15. Speaking the truth in love does not mean we have to agree with sin or condone it. We are called to speak God’s truth in love. We can love people in their sin because God loves us in ours.

We may wrestle with God on issues, but we MUST pray that he softens our hearts and the hearts of others so that we may receive his word to change hearts for Him.

Prayer

Gracious Heavenly Father, please give a persistent heart for You. Help us not to give up when we are met with adversity when sharing Your word. Help us to read and seek scripture for courage and strength that is not of us. In Jesus Name, Amen.