(Genesis 32:22-29)
We must learn how to wrestle with God for His
blessings. The deep things of God are available to those who want them bad
enough. How serious are you today about receiving ALL of God's blessings in
your life? There are three levels of blessings. The first are general
blessings available to everyone. The Bible tells us that "it rains on the
just and the unjust". The second are family blessings. These are blessings
available to those within the family of God. Lastly, there are special
blessings. These are available to those in the family of God who desire the
deep things of God, ALL that God has. To be a recipient of God's special
blessings, you must demonstrate to God how serious you are. God sovereignly
chooses who to bless in special ways and He is looking for those who are
hungry for all He has to offer. Too many of God's people are satisfied
eating hamburger when they could be dining on fillet. Jacob wanted to be
blessed by God and wasn't going to settle for anything less. He knew what
he wanted, didn't give up until he got it, and then finally received his
blessing from God.
Before you can wrestle with God for the special blessings, you must know
what you want. Paul knew what he wanted...to be like Christ. Unfortunately,
most Christians don't really know what they want. We have to be specific
with God. God is a specific God. He didn't just tell Noah to build a boat,
he gave him every last detail. He didn't just tell Moses to build a
tabernacle, he told him every single detail. But once you know what you
want, you have to be willing to not give up until you receive it. We live
in such an age of instant gratification. Drive through food, fax machines,
cell phones, FedEx, 24-hour banking...we want it now and aren't willing to
wait. One reason we may have to fight for what we want is that in that time of
fighting, the Lord is purifying us. As we wrestle with God, He is purifying
us, cleansing us, and preparing us to receive His blessings. Finally come the
blessings. God loves to bless His children. The Bible says, "..and see if
I will not throw open the floodgates of Heaven and pour out so much blessing
that you will not have enough room for it."' The blessings we receive flow
from God's abundant grace and endless love for His children. God is in the
blessing business!!!!
Do you want God's blessings in your life? Are you willing to wrestle with
God for a night? A week? A month? A year? Or are you going to just
accept things the way they are. It is time to get as serious with God about
our blessings as we do in wanting other things. People of the world get
focused on their goals and sacrifice everything to achieve them. Unfortunately, the things of this world are temporary, but the things of God are everlasting. If we work so hard for things that last but a short time, why don't we work that much harder for those things of God that will stand the test of eternity? I will be praying for you today. Praying that like Jacob, you are serious enough about God's blessings, that you will do anything, even wrestle with God until He blesses you. The deep things of God are available to those who want them bad enough and are willing to do whatever is necessary to receive all God has for their life. He loves you, He cares about you, and He wants to bless you. Now it is up to you to show God how serious you are.
