As the past year was coming to a close, and with my one word for the new year now in focus, I felt in my heart it was time to crack open a new Bible. The Bible had been on my shelf, still in the box, from the day I “won” it at a warehouse sale. It was a version I had not read regularly in many, many years and now was the time.
A fresh Bible. A fresh word. Time to get The Word fresh.
In watching the national news, I have sat in tears, horror, and anxiety at the events which unfolded. A feeling of hopelessness was trying to push its way into my heart and mind. It’s a feeling easily recognized and one I know takes a fight to push it back.
We can and should feel horrified and saddened, but the hopelessness, we need to fight back. We cannot, cannot give way to this feeling.
Hopelessness is not of God. We must take the thoughts captive and not allow them to fester and grow in our minds. The more we permit hopelessness to have access to our minds, the more we will come to believe and be overtaken by this emotion.
Talking truth to ourselves is not the same as “positive thinking”. It is not “looking through rose colored glasses”. It is living daily while trusting in, and having faith in, our God.
The events which unfolded in our nation’s capitol were evil and horrific.
God is still on His throne and has never for one second vacated it. Remember that. No matter who is in authority over our country, yes they have authority over our country, but ultimately not over our lives. And no matter who rules our country, whether we voted for them or not, they will never be the answer to every problem or issue in our country. Our lives are still held under the protection and authority of Christ.
We are not the first generation to face hard and challenging times. We only need to look back into Scripture to see those patriarchs of our faith who persevered through even harder times. And we will persevere as well. We must.
And so, with my new Bible, my one word, and a reading plan, God’s Word continues to bless and bring the encouragement and hope needed.
Smack dab in the middle of my reading schedule this morning, I read this:
“He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.” (Genesis 32:28, NASB)
This is why I needed a new Bible, I needed to see my word right there. It kind of struck me funny, and I wondered – What does it mean exactly?
Jacob wrestled his questions out with God, and so can we. In so doing, we prevail, we win, because God is truly on our side. He actually desires for us to win.
Turning to a few other familiar versions to see how the verse reads, I found Eugene Peterson’s words in The Message, gave me the insight I needed. Perhaps it will help you too:
“The man said, “But no longer. Your name is no longer Jacob. From now on it’s Israel (God-Wrestler); you’ve wrestled with God and you’ve come through.”
“You’ve come through!”
We question. We wrestle while holding onto God. And then … we come through!
We don’t stay in the mess forever.
We don’t tap out.
We prevail!
Let’s have coffee …. Come and read the encouraging posts which have joined in. If you link up, kindly visit those who have pulled up a seat around you. If you share on social media, the hashtag #LetsHaveCoffee would be greatly appreciated!
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Today I am joining …
I love how comparing verses in other translations can open our understanding a little more. I’ve been saddened and horrified, too, over things going on in the world and especially our country lately. But it’s such a good reminder not to fall into hopelessness. We always have hope. God sees, knows, and His purposes will prevail.
Yes, He is in and over it all. May we never forget He is in sovereign control. May we take refuge in Him and let His peace fill our hearts and minds. Grateful for you!
I keep coming back to the solid foundation of God’s sovereignty in these troubled days. Always a joy to be here with you!
I do as well, Michele. I remind myself He is God alone, there is none like Him. He has not vacated His throne ever and He is sovereign over all.
Loved your reminder: “God is still on His throne and has never for one second vacated it” Reminds me of the James Bryan Smith quote, “… the kingdom [of God] is not in trouble and neither are you.”
Sometimes we do have to wrestle with questions, but if we stay in His Word, we will prevail.
Jerralea, I love the quote and am writing this one down! Thank you so much for sharing it!
Perfect word for today.
I am currently reading through The Message right now and I like it! Your post reminded me of this quote from Anne Frank “But where there’s hope, there’s life. It fills us with fresh courage and makes us strong again.” It echoes what is said in Romans; “Rejoice in hope.”
Another wonderful quote to save!
Joanne I love that God does not discourage our wrestling with truth, world events or even His ways in our lives. I have always enjoyed the story of Jacob wrestling with God, as it encouraged me to bring troubling things to God and not let go until I heard from Him!
Donna, the story of Jacob always encourages me too. God welcomes our questions and brings the answers in His time.
Prevail! I love that you read that verse this morning, Joanne. I think of people in the past who have had it so much harder than us, and they prevailed. With God in us, we always will too. Thanks for the encouraging word.
Lisa, I keep reminding myself that we are not the first generation to face difficulties. Others pressed forward, remained faithful to God, and prevailed. May we do the same. Our sweet ones are depending on us! 🙂
In all the chaos of the world right now it is very encouraging to know that God’s purposes will prevail!
Amen!
This is the second encounter I’ve had this morning with the story of Jacob wresting with God. It always brings me back to Psalm 24 and the mention of the generation of God wrestlers/seekers like Jacob. Let this be that generation that seeks God and watches Him prevail!