“Favor rarely gives us what we want, no matter how much we squint, make threats, or roll around in the mud, but it always gives us exactly what we need.”- Brian Jones (emphasis author’s)
“In the womb he [Jacob] took his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he strove with God. He strove with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought his favor.”- Hosea 12:3-4 (ESV)
Brian Jones concludes Chapter 1 of Finding Favor as he discusses the biblical account of Jacob Wrestles with God (Genesis 32:22-32). Also, Pastor Jones cites Oswald Chambers (My Utmost for His Highest). Mr. Chambers wrote: “You my often see Jesus Christ wreck a life before He saves it.”
As a result, Brian notes the striking symbolism of Jacob’s wrestling match with an angel. When life throws you a curve ball, how many long, sleepless nights have you spent with an unknown assailant? Do you feel frustrated with God during times of doubt? Or is Satan your adversary? Perhaps you’re fighting against yourself or your circumstances. Maybe you’d answer “all of the above.”
However, Pastor Jones observes, Hosea wanted to stress that Jacob didn’t need a polite blessing from God, like when you sneeze. Rather, Jacob needed an intervention. Thus, we require total renovation, not simply improvement. Therefore, Brian exhorts:
“I believe God has led us here, to this riverbank together, because you are on the verge of getting tangled up in an inescapable fight for God’s favor, a holy collision between divine providence and human brokenness. . . . Yet some part of us has to know that we can’t experience God’s favor until we’ve fought with God for his blessing. Some part of us must know that while fighting . . we will not walk away unscathed.”
But when morning comes, we’ll walk away with new self-understanding as well as a new vision for how God will work in our lives.
Today’s question: How has God’s favor given you exactly what you need? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “A series of great opportunities?”