Sunday, April 22, 2012

the struggle



I may not know the extent of anyone's struggle, but I do understand "the struggle."
And I am suddenly reminded of Jacob wrestling with God.
Wrestling in the cold, dark hours of the night,  
Wrestling against One, Who's face he could not see,
Wrestling tirelessly, only to have his hip dislocated, likely in severe pain,
And yet he wrestled on.  He wrestled til the dawn.  

Beloved, your struggle may be long, miserable, and sore; maybe it is already daybreak for you, and now the issue is the limp from a 'dislocated hip.'  Whatever the struggle, let your grief keep you in prayer. Mourn if you must, be emotional if you must, but let every overwhelming burst in your soul take you to the throne of grace.  There is nowhere lonelier than apart from His presence - if you must weep, weep at His feet.  If you must question, ask Him.  If you must wrestle, wrestle with God.  Jacob fought not only with physical strength, but he fought in his heart.  And at the end, still demanded of this Man: Bless me!  O, that throughout our struggle, we would still demand, "Show me Your face!  Teach me Your ways!  Save my tears!  Strengthen my heart!  Help my unbelief!"

Mourning always comes.  Morning always comes.  And blessed is the one who is faithful to the end!
At the end of the tiresome conflict, Jacob was newly identified; no longer would he be Jacob, "The Deceiver."
Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."
- Genesis 32:28

Ah! The promise that Jesus Christ Himself gave!

In this world, you will have trouble.  But TAKE HEART! I have overcome the world!
- John 16:33

I remember the prayer of Jabez, who was named because he was borne in pain:
Jabez called upon the God of ISRAEL, saying, “Oh that You would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.
- I Chronicles 4:10
The struggle may be aching, it may be confusing, it may be lonely; the words and promises of man are brittle.  But CHRIST is constant; He is a rock, He is unchanging, His promises to "never leave" are as true today as they were yesterday.

He understands the struggle.  He knows the hurt.  Therefore, He knows how best to love us.
Compassion = "to suffer with."

In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him Who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.
- Hebrews 5:7

He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; He will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.  In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in Him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”
- Isaiah 25:8-9

Endure the struggle, Beloved.
Stay in the presence of God.
Weep if you must.

And wait on the LORD.
Be strong, take heart,
And wait on the LORD. (ps 27.14)




xo



--
many hearts for whom this was written.  but also, much love and prayers of peace and comfort for the family of DM - he rests in the arms of God..


3 comments :

  1. Please continue to intercede for me dear sister. Much love & gratitude in this and for the post.

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    Replies
    1. I will stay praying :) tell me when the skies above you have cleared; i'm in faith for your breakthrough.

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    2. Pray today and tomorrow as much. Will keep u posted there after.

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