Are you struggling to understand?

Then he said, "Let me go, for the day has broken." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." (Genesis 32:26 ESV)

The verse I chose today is from the account of Jacob wrestling with God. I read through this several times looking for the message of how to apply to our lives. We struggle with the concept of being saved by grace alone. As humans, we feel that we must control our own destiny. We must do good to gain God's favor, just like Jacob wrestled with God, proving what he could do.

But we could never possibly do enough to gain God's approval. For that it took a Savior to die a brutal death on the cross. God created us, sent His Son to die for us so that we may share his unconditional love with others. So that we will do good works in His name, not in our name. Nothing we can do will get us to heaven, that gift has already been provided. That does not mean we should go on in our sinful ways, but instead work to share that same gift with others.

Are you wrestling with God? Are you trying to figure out what you can do to win his favor? Are you trying to make deals with Him? If you are, stop and accept His forgiveness, accept that this life will be a constant struggle and move to share the good news. Christ died for us all to allow us to enter His Father's kingdom.

God bless this day of rest.