Until You Bless Me

There are times when what we know is not at all what we feel. Darkness comes unexpectedly and uninvited. It brings fear and confusion along with it. King David felt it. Joseph felt it. During their dark times, they both clung to their God. They pushed through what didn’t seem right and almost unjust. They knew the character of their God enough to know that wasn’t their end. They had walked with God and knew Him intimately. They had heard His voice so many times. They understood God’s heart and good will toward them. And still, somehow found themselves in a unwanted places. Jacob fought the angel of The Lord. He knew what was available in Him and wasn’t experiencing it. He knew he wasn’t worthy of the blessing of God but also knew God was good. So, he said “I am not letting You go until You bless me.” And this was seen by God as admirable. God delights in our faith. It’s easy to have faith when all is going well. But oh, that we could have faith when everything is falling apart like David, like Joseph and like Jacob. To lift yourself up out of heaviness and put one foot in front of the other and even defy your present circumstances as an act of worship. Not when the sun comes out. Not when birds are singing. But before dawn - when the sun is not even in sight and the roosters cry out for it. Not when you’re thinking pretty things, but when your mind is bombarded with doom. Friend, I pray you push through. God is for you. Persevere. You will get to the other side. The Lord will come through.

Lord, I pray for any soul engaged in a war they never saw coming right now. God, give them enough light to keep their hope alive. Lord, give them a vision of what getting to the other side will look like. You are faithful. You are true. You are good. And You never let go of your children. Train our fists for battle. The battle belongs to You. The battle is won.