Living in the Spirit

August 1, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Genesis 32:22-31
The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, ‘Let me go, for the day is breaking.’ But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go, unless you bless me.’ So he said to him, ‘What is your name?’ And he said, ‘Jacob.’ Then the man said, ‘You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.’ Then Jacob asked him, ‘Please tell me your name.’ But he said, ‘Why is it that you ask my name?’ And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, ‘For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.’ The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.

My guess is that we all wrestle with God from time to time. God calls us to do the unthinkable at times. I identify with the farmer Gideon who was surprised by God commanding him to lead an army. It surprised me to read on Wikipedia this description of Gideon. He was a military leader, judge, and prophet whose calling and victory over the Midianites are recounted in Judges 6–8. I always think of him as the one who said to God’s representative, “You want me to do what” and then ask not once but twice to verify the assignment. On the other hand, Jacob had a history as a conniver, always putting himself first. He was wrestling with God’s representative before a reunion with the brother whose birthright he had stolen.

What is God calling us to do? What interpersonal issues do we need to address? God knows us better than anybody. If God thinks we can do something, then he surely equipped us to answer the call.  My problem usually is wondering if it is really God’s call or my own call. That is why I pray as often as needed the following prayer.

Prayer: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10) Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.