“This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. 25 When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 “What is your name?” the man asked. He replied, “Jacob.” 28 “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.” 29 “Please tell me your name,” Jacob said. “Why do you want to know my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there. 30 Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.” Genesis 32:24-30 NLT
He says, “Stop your striving and recognise that I am God. I will be exalted over the nations! I will be exalted over the earth!” 11 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is on our side! The God of Jacob is our stronghold! (Selah) Psalm 46:10,11 NET
God of Jacob,
Jacob wrestled with You and he refused to let go till You blessed him! (Genesis 32:24-29) What a picture of mans struggle with You and Your struggle with man! Jacob was far from perfect. But You struggled to bring Him to the realisation that You are God and spared him. You were willing to come and struggle with fallen mankind and allow us to go further – to put You to death.
You blessed Jacob but You blessed us much, much more. We cannot thank You enough for wrestling with sin and overcoming it for us. God today we come to You afresh. Holding on to you as Jacob did not out of desperation but because we receive Your love and Your blessing.
Today help us to quieten ourselves, be still, stop striving, stop being annoyed, angry or frustrated. Quieten our mind, body and spirit, so we can acknowledge You are our God, we are blessed and the future is safe in Your hands.
In Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.
God of Jacob,
We do not need to wrestle with You, we have peace with You. We bring the names of those in our heart and mind and ask that You would meet their needs. Protect Your many churches (the people) around the world. Comfort those isolated believers and encourage and empower those who strive to do good in Your name at missions, in hospitals, faith schools, communities, orphanages.
We take this opportunity, in the stillness, to say we are sorry. What a mess our world has become. Polluted with cheap plastic, ravaged by the need for making money. Disunity, abuse, war between politicians, tribes and nations. Even in families. Help Your creation to recover and move people to stop wars and abuse. Help us to make peace where we are.
We pray for Ukraine and Russia for war to cease.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 5th September 2023
The Lord bless you and keep you
Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you
The Lord turn His face toward you
And give you peace
Amen, amen, amen
Amen, amen, amen
May His favour be upon you
And a thousand generations
And your family and your children
And their children, and their children
May His presence go before you
And behind you, and beside you
All around you, and within you
He is with you, he is with you
In the morning, in the evening
In your coming, and your going
In your weeping, and rejoicing
He is for you, he is for you
He is for you, he is for you
He is for you, he is for you
He is for you, he is for you
Amen, amen . . .
Lyrics: Taken from Numbers 6:24-26
Kari Jobe, Christopher Joel Brown, Cody Carnes, Steven Furtick