Title September/Special/Dawn Prayer Meeting
Contents
September/Special/Dawn Prayer Meeting: Dawn Wrestling That Changed Life ①
2009.9.7 (Mon)
1. Jacob to be changed (Genesis 27:41-45)
Jacob took away the birthright that his older brother Esau had. It was a foolish way to get what you wanted by exploiting the weaknesses of others. He was a greedy and selfish person who could deceive even his family members for what he wanted. And he was a man who lived his life with his superior head rather than relying on God. However, God chose such Jacob and blessed him.
Jacob was trained in the wilderness for 20 years with the promise of blessings from God. And after that, the name Israel was obtained from God. Israel means “wrestled with God and prevailed”. In other words, it means “one who overcomes with praying knees.”
God trained Jacob for 20 years, who had lived by holding onto the heels of others and deceiving others, and transformed him into a man of prayer and a father of faith who raises a new nation, Israel, that blesses the whole world.
♧ If you have been like Jacob, who believed in his smart head and held onto the heels of others, now you must become a person who prays with faith in God and has a changed character in Israel.
1) God must change.
It took 20 years of time and waiting for Jacob to become Israel. That time was not just waiting, but 20 years of training in the wilderness. However, God was not impatient with Jacob's change and changed his name to Israel after preparing him through training.
Just as it took 20 years and waiting for Jacob to change into Israel, you also need time. This is because change and spiritual maturity are not instantaneous events. Through time and waiting, people change.
2) God breaks the chains you hold on to. (For Wilderness School Training)
Jacob had a bond by which he believed and held on. It was her mother, Rebekah. There is a saying that Rebekah always said to her son Jacob. “Son, listen to me!”
Genesis 27:8 Wherefore, my son, follow my word and do as I command you.
Genesis 27:13 And his mother said to him, My son, your curse will be on me; follow me only, and go and bring it.
Jacob does as his mother Rebekah said. However, in the end, he receives the wrath of his brother Esau, and his mother, Rebekah, teaches him how to avoid his brother's wrath.
27:43 Arise, my son, at my word, and go to Haran, and flee from my brother Laban.
Jacob had to leave his mother Rebekah, whom he trusted and depended on, to become Israel. So God allowed Jacob to leave Rebekah.
Genesis 27:44 Stay with your brother for a few days, until his wrath is over.
Up until now, I lived holding onto my mother Rebekah, who told me, “Follow me,” but how difficult and lonely would it be to have separated from the object of faith? But remember! Not believing in Almighty God, but how foolish it is to live by believing in people you can see... Even when people leave, God is by your side. Even if everyone's ties are broken, you're never alone. God is still holding you. From the moment you know it, your faith begins to grow and mature.
Hear God's voice now! “Even if you lose everything, you can live as long as you don’t lose me”
Even if you don't have anyone to help you today, even if you don't have a reliable stronghold and army, you don't have money, or you run out of food, if you rely only on God, you will experience miracles. That is how our faith grows and matures.
(Psalm 118:8-9) It is better to flee from the LORD than trust in men, and to flee from the LORD than trust in princes.
(Psalm 121:1-2) I lift up my eyes to the mountains; where will my help come from? My help is from the LORD, who made the heavens and the earth.
[For deeper meditation]
♧1. Our faith must be changed from Jacob to Israel. What needs to change for you?
♣2. What muscle are you holding on to? Is it a person/material/honor? Everyone will have experienced the same difficulties as their breaking. Why do you think the suffering in the wilderness has come to you?