Wrestling.

"And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." 

It's a story we've read a thousand times. Today while praying, I got an illustration from God, as I sometimes do when I am communing deeply with him. Recently I read a comparison of Jacob's wrestling the angel to our  wrestling God through prayer. Interesting. At first I wasn't sure what to make of it. I mean, it's sinful to "fight" God! Unsubmissive, discontented, blasphemous. However, as God has revealed certain things to my heart, I understand this passage in a new way. Jacob's wrestling is a picture of something very, very significant to the Christian life. Think of it like this--God reveals His Will--His promise, His "yes" and "no," through prayer. The more consistent we are in our walk, the closer Christ draws, the more blessing we receive. Yes my friend, it is possible to know the Will of God. Sure, the enemy will bring disillusions, doubt, fear--but "teach me to know thy will," is a very possible thing. That is where the secret behind Jacob's wrestling is so exciting.

The Christian life is all about "waiting." Its all about trusting in faith a God we can't see, hear, or touch. Yet "waiting" doesn't always mean "humble," or superficial contentment. 

Sound selfish? Absolutely not! This isn't about "claiming" or forcing an answer. This isn't about banging on locked doors. This isn't about changing God's mind or expecting Him to give us fulfillment. This isn't about our plans. It's "waiting" in a very spiritual sense--working, hanging on to Jesus, worshiping while we wait. It's wrestling through prayer, giving our lives over to Him as we tumble through darkness into Light. 

If you are waiting on God--keep in perspective that NOTHING can alter God's plan. All things must be fulfilled in His timing, and remember, even God waits. (Isaiah 30:18)  It's really neat to imagine waiting as a wrestling match to determine how hard we will fight. . .how many times we will drop to our knees in struggling, tormented, life-giving prayer. God keeps us waiting for many reasons, whether that's maturity, experience, or a fuller purpose. But don't give up wrestling. There is a spiritual battle raging all around us, and it's up to YOU, fellow Christian, to fight off the enemy. Prayer is an experience so deep, so rich, something that not even the wisest scholars can explain. Remember, as we wait, we MUST stay focused on Christ. He hasn't let you down, and He never will. Don't stop praying. If there is unanswered prayer in your life, GOD  may be waiting for YOU--waiting to see, wrestling to discover--how much you really love Him. Think about the idols in your life. Go ahead, admit it, we all have them. If Jesus looked at you today and asked, "lovest thou me more than these?" Could you honestly say yes? That is the beauty of testing. In fact, it's an honor.

Sometimes we are restless for a reason, and face it, we are all humans with human emotion. If you aren't 

 being tested as a Christian, the best thing you can do is bury your nose in His Word. Only when we are at the end of the rope--when there is nothing left but the Creator and the Created--can we grow. And that. . .is why we pray. Lightbulb! With that perspective, I now understand the intensity of "wrestling God." It's saying--

"Lord, I'm not fighting in rebellion. I WANT to do Your Will. I AM obeying You. There is a blessing here, a promise from You, a prayer with a "caution sign" dangling overhead. Lord, I am wrestling not in spite, but because  I know you can do this thing. In essence, I am saying with Mary, "But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee" I am wrestling in faith. God, as it pertains to Your Will for my life, give me Your blessing."

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

While I'm Waiting, John Waller

"Wrestling" brings waiting to a whole new level.