In last night's sermon at St James it was suggested that Jacob had to learn to abandon his own resources and learn to trust in God, and that God 'maimed' Jacob so that he would be forced to rely more on God.Does God strike us down so we have to rely on him?
Is that perhaps a reason why our prayers are not so easily answered?
Is that perhaps a reason why we suffer?
7 comments:
I once read a book that suggested that if we have something in our lives that we trust more than God,(our marriage, a relationship, wealth etc), then God will break it for our own good, teaching us to trust in him alone because without this trust we have no future. I think God teaching us dependence is one reason why we suffer, but it is not the only reason, nor do I think every suffering has only one reason.
I certainly think suffering can't be boiled down to one simple answer, but I do think it's a wonderful thing that our God encourages us to wrestle with him. It's all through the Psalms too.
I often think that nonChristians see faith in God as 'blind unquestioning believing' but in my experience it's been the opposite.
I haven't always got answers, but I have found that God is always up for a good wrestle.
He could quite easily just put us in our place, but he allows us to struggle with him.
Even Jacob managed to wrestle throughout the night with God, whilst surely God had the power to overcome him instantly.
It must be for our good, and for his glory that he allows us this wrestling time.
I always thought it was very telling that God chose to name his people "Israel" (wrestles/struggles with God) not a name that indicated perfect faith, trust or submission. Perhaps a deep relationship needs a healthy level of conflict if each party is to be truly known and loved.
I'd never thought of that - good one. Maybe I'll change my name to "Struggler"
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